VEREENIGING. – Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has explained why it’s fire department was unable to respond to a burning house in Unitas Park last week.

This a after a fire ravaged through a house belonging to the Masenya family.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, ELM’s Media Relations Officer Chuchi Radebe said, “We would like to put it on record that the Unitas Park fire incident was reported to the Fire and
Rescue Department on Tuesday (24 January 2023) morning.

“In light of fleet challenges plaguing the municipality, the incident was immediately reported to our neighboring municipality to assist as
part of the mutual aid agreement.”

Radebe stated that fleet challenges in ELM come as a direct consequence of the bank account attachment by
Eskom since December 2022.

“Our day to day operations have been severely affected by this, with the municipality battling to process payments for most of its creditors.

“It is with great regret to
announce that the municipality is facing a shortage in fuel, which is starting to weigh heavily on the provision of services.”

Radebe said in an effort to ensure that no similar incidents happen in the future, the municipality continues to
engage the power utility to lift the account attachment so that the service delivery is not compromised any further.

ELM says it remains hopeful that negotiations with Eskom will conclude in favor of the community and service delivery.

“With a clear understanding of dire consequences of not attending to an emergency call, the municipality urges members of the public to continue reporting any fire and emergency incidents to
our department.

“In the case that there is a challenge in responding to the call, the mutual aid
agreement with nearby emergency services will be implemented,” Radebe concludes.