The City of Cape Town has made it known that if its fire and rescue services continues to get attacked, it might be forced to withdraw its services from places where there are unrest.
This warning which was made on Friday came after a fire crew was attacked in Delft South on Thursday night when it was on its way to put off a burning truck.
JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the area was experiencing load-shedding when the fire crew was dispatched.
“They met up with their police escort at Hindle Road, but just as they were nearing the incident, the crew came under attack, with a brick hurled at the windscreen. They called for additional protection to exit the volatile area,” said Smith.
He said the crew members were shocked at the incident.
After they met with a fire service chaplain they were advised to go home and this left the Belhar fire station non-operational for the rest of Thursday night.
“This type of thuggish behaviour is becoming an all too regular occurrence and has potentially devastating consequences for law-abiding citizens who require emergency services,” said Smith.
“Not only does it slow down response times, as fire crews do not enter volatile areas without a police escort, but given the escalation in attacks — even with an escort — the city might be forced to withdraw this service altogether where unrest is being experienced.”
