mbulelo smpofu
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, sukulwenkosi.dube@chronicle.co.zw
LOCAL authorities in Matabeleland South, which received fire engines from the Government have described it as a huge boost, which helped to plug a service delivery gap of many years.
Umzingwane, Insiza, Beitbridge and Matobo are among the local authorities across the country that received over 35 fire-fighting trucks from the Government.
Fire is a major threat to people’s lives, livelihoods and property.
Causes of these infernos vary, with some resulting from electrical faults, improper usage and storage of LP Gas, negligence, veld fires, accidents and trafficking of flammable and hazardous substances, among other things.
Umzingwane Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mrs Sithembiso Sibanda, said they were relying on the Bulawayo Fire Department, which is about 40 kilometres away.
“This is our first fire engine as Umzingwane RDC. We were recently awarded a town board status, which means we are growing. For us to meet requirements of this status, we need to have the necessary equipment and infrastructure hence acquiring a fire engine is a major boost,” she said.
“Having our own fire engine will help us to respond to fire outbreaks timeously thereby reducing losses. We have been relying on the Bulawayo Fire Department and are glad we have been capacitated as a rural local authority.”
Insiza RDC chief executive officer, Mr Shepherd Tshuma, said a fire outbreak is unpredictable hence the need for authorities to be prepared.
Mr Tshuma said in the past the district has incurred huge losses and lives have been lost in fire incidences. He said they have been relying on Gwanda and Bulawayo in the event of a fire.
“Now that we have our own fire truck, it will enable us to conduct basic response,” he said.
Mr Tshuma said the district is often affected by veld fires with about 30 to 40 percent of land being destroyed by fire.
Beitbridge RDC acting chief executive officer, Mr Peter Moyo, said personnel for the fire-fighting team will be trained in Bulawayo. He said the training will be crucial in ensuring the fire engine is maintained properly and serves its purpose.
Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, last week handed over the fire trucks to the local authorities at Kuwadzana Fire Station in Harare.
Minister Garwe said against the backdrop of escalating fire incidences in the country, the Government decided to procure fire-fighting equipment from the Republic of Belarus.
He said procurement of the equipment was made possible by the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement programmes being championed by President Mnangagwa.
Relations between Zimbabwe and Belarus were strengthened through the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding in January 2022.
