WOLMARANSTAD, North West — Residents of Tswelelang in Wolmaranstad are facing a severe public safety crisis as access to emergency fire services remains critically compromised. For the past three months, the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Fire and Rescue Department’s emergency landline has been down, leaving the community vulnerable to devastating fire incidents while simultaneously grappling with a severe shortage of operational fire trucks.
The non-functional landline has had a dire impact on the ground. Several households and informal shacks have already burned down, with residents unable to promptly alert authorities during emergencies. This communication blackout affects not only the public but also the station’s employees, who are reportedly unable to make or receive calls on the affected line. The situation is further compounded by a persistent water shortage in the area, leaving residents with no immediate means to contain blazes while awaiting external assistance.
Addressing the ongoing crisis, Dr. Lerato Bontes, spokesperson for the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, clarified the operational constraints facing the station. According to Dr. Bontes, the local fire station has a fleet of six fire and water trucks, but only two are currently fully operational. One vehicle is due for routine service, while the remaining trucks are undergoing assessments to determine the specific maintenance required before they can be returned to active duty.
Dr. Bontes noted that fire and rescue services fall under the jurisdiction of the district municipality. The prolonged landline outage is the result of a service provider’s contract coming to an end. The district is currently navigating formal supply chain processes to appoint and install a new service provider, a delay that has now stretched to nearly 90 days. In the interim, the district has published an alternative emergency contact number on its official social media platforms, urging residents to save and use it for immediate assistance.
Acknowledging the severe hardship this places on the community, especially during the dry and dusty winter season, the local municipality has issued a sincere apology to the affected residents. Dr. Bontes confirmed that the matter will be urgently escalated at the next Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) meeting and mayoral forums. The local executive mayor plans to engage directly with the district executive mayor to secure a lasting solution and restore full emergency response capacity to Tswelelang.