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Cape Town fire crews ambushed and attacked, again
The City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service logged at least three incidents this past weekend, where staff were attacked. “Fire service vehicles were stoned and damaged by protesters in Brackenfell on Friday, 20 November 2020. On Saturday morning, 21 November 2020 the fire crew from Mfuleni was robbed of their personal belongings at gunpoint after being ambushed. They responded to a fire, but it turned out to be a hoax call. On Sunday, 22 November 2020, two crew members were threatened with a panga in Philippi, Kosovo informal settlement, when they were attending to informal structures alight. These attacks on our staff do nothing to foster better relationships and to improve the quality of service to the communities. It is appalling that so-called members of our communities of this city deem it acceptable to attack life-saving emergency personnel rendering services to the very communities that need it the most. These attacks are condemned in the strongest terms”, said Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, described the attacks on fire service officers and equipment as ironic.
“The attack on fire service officers and equipment is ironic as it is often the same people or members of the community, who deliberately vandalise vehicles and attacking officers only to later call on assistance when there is a fire in the community. Vandalising and destroying fire service vehicles and targeting staff is not only a criminal offense but also deprives community members of emergency services,” said Alderman Smith. Source: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service |
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