A number of homes and livestock in Ritchie narrowly escaped destruction yesterday after a fire broke out, exposing the collapse of the municipal fire service.
The fire spread rapidly between 1st Avenue, and 5th and 6th Streets, fuelled by long grass along pavements that Sol Plaatje Municipality has failed to cut. It quickly spread into grazing land, coming dangerously close to livestock pens and homes.
What ultimately brought the blaze under control was not the municipal fire brigade but the swift action of the community while four municipal firefighters were on duty but stranded at the fire station, without a fire engine or any vehicle to respond.
This is not an isolated incident. Just a week ago, a house and a shack were destroyed by fire.
With fire season approaching, Ritchie is being left dangerously exposed, putting homes, livestock and lives at risk.
The DA contacted the Kimberley Fire Control Centre and was informed that there is currently no firefighting equipment available in Ritchie. The station is supposed to have a fire engine and firefighter vehicle.
If the municipality cannot equip the Ritchie fire station to perform its most basic function, it must explain why taxpayers are funding a facility that cannot respond to emergencies. If it cannot or will not provide the necessary resources, funding must be redirected towards an effective community-based firefighting service.
I have reported the incident to Kimberley Fire Chief Mr Sephiri and will take the matter further through the relevant Safety and Security Committee.
The DA thanks the Ritchie community for coming together to prevent what could have been a far greater disaster. Residents, however, should not have to become their own fire brigade.
A DA-led municipality would create a safer environment by cutting long grass, maintaining firebreaks and investing in fire safety across Kimberley and Ritchie. This means properly maintained and staffed fire stations, reliable vehicles and modern firefighting equipment.
On 4 November, residents have a choice to build a safer, better-managed Sol Plaatje Municipality under the DA, or continue down the dangerous road of decline under the ANC-led municipality.