SEDIBENG.- The Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) and the Vaal Business Cooperation (VBC) are involved in a wrangle over the status of the Vanderbijlpark Fire Station.

The squabble, follows reports that the Vanderbijlpark Fire Station has been closed.

A statement issued by the ELM said that the reports were “untrue and unjustified”. The municipality’s statement blamed VBC for recent social media reports suggesting that the station has been closed.

It (ELM) said that VBC spread “explicit disinformation” designed to damage its name.

The ELM further said that the fire department currently has four engines, with two in active service and to maintain coverage during the servicing of the Vanderbijlpark unit, (and that) a fire engine was temporarily stationed at the old Sebokeng Fire Station.

“These destructive rumours were paddled by the Vaal Business Cooperation. The presumed closure is both untrue and unjustified. One of the fire engines was simply taken for servicing as per standard procedure,” the ELM said.

On the other hand, a statement issued by VBC said, “If the fire engines are in service, where are they? Why was the community not notified in advance of these so-called ‘temporary reallocations? What we observe is not a rumour(s) but a reality.”

VBC accused the ELM of “panic and culpability”.

The organisation’s statement added that ELM’s explanation was a “bureaucratic smokescreen”, and a distraction from its failure to communicate proactively with the community.

• On one of its social media platforms, VBC said that it prides itself as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) set up by business in Vereeniging  and Vanderbijlpark to uplift the local community by partnering with business(es).