Another misleading TikTok video from the failed DA ex-Mayor Cilliers Brink seeks to accuse the new administration under ActionSA Dr Nasiphi Moya of “letting people’s houses burn” while embroiled “in a legal fight to prevent private operators from operating in our city’. This is a blatant lie, and deeply disturbing to the core!
Schedule 4 Part B of the Constitution of South Africa declares fire fighting a local government competency. In terms of Section 4 (1) of the Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987: “Any fire service that does not fall under the control of a local authority may, in the prescribed manner, apply to the Minister [which authority has been delegated to COGTA MEC] to be recognized as a designated service.”
Section 4(4) of the Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987 goes on to specify that: “A designated service shall be employed inside the area demarcated for it by the Minister after consultation with the Board…”
In terms of the Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987, Municipal Fire Services remains the only service that is allowed to fight fires in the City of Tshwane. Private companies need to apply for permission from the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC to fight fires in designated areas of the city, so as to ensure they support the city’s mandate in a legal and co-ordinated manner.
It is important to note that the DA-led administration did not allocate any capital budget to Emergency Services in the 2022/2023 financial year, neither under failed DA ex-Mayor Cilliers Brink in the 2023/2024 financial year.
The long-overdue appointment of Chief of Emergency Services and Chief of Police in November 2023 was key to building internal capacity to fight fires and crime in the Capital City. In July 2024, R2 million capital budget was allocated to Emergency Services, and 11 new support vehicles were purchased under the new administration. This financial year, R6 million capital budget has been allocated for the purchase of new fire fighting vehicles.
Companies like Fidelity Securefire (Pty) Ltd, which failed DA ex-Mayor Brink seems keen to promote, have become well-resourced businesses due to years of mismanagement of public funds in the City of Tshwane, but have failed to successfully obtain designation from the COGTA MEC, as required by law. In fact, none of the private companies operating in Tshwane, including Fire Ops SA, Sinoville Firefighting Association and Laudium Disaster Management have obtained such designation from the Gauteng COGTA MEC. Despite numerous attempts by the City of Tshwane at resolution, no meaningful cooperation has been achieved.
As the taps on private business are being closed by the new administration, ActionSA is pleased to note new opportunities within the City of Tshwane are opening up. In September 2024, 76 new firefighters joined Emergency Services, and in January 2025, 98 paramedics were integrated into the city’s fire department after graduating as firefighters.
ActionSA remains committed to good governance by strengthening internal capacity and reducing the city’s reliance on tenderpreneurs and supply chain management processes. We encourage all businesses that seek to partner with the City of Tshwane, to ensure they are legal and compliant.
Tshwane Ready to Fight Fire
Another misleading TikTok video from the failed DA ex-Mayor Cilliers Brink seeks to accuse the new administration under ActionSA Dr Nasiphi Moya of “letting people’s houses burn” while embroiled “in a legal fight to prevent private operators from operating in our city’. This is a blatant lie, and deeply disturbing to the core!
Schedule 4 Part B of the Constitution of South Africa declares fire fighting a local government competency. In terms of Section 4 (1) of the Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987: “Any fire service that does not fall under the control of a local authority may, in the prescribed manner, apply to the Minister [which authority has been delegated to COGTA MEC] to be recognized as a designated service.”
Section 4(4) of the Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987 goes on to specify that: “A designated service shall be employed inside the area demarcated for it by the Minister after consultation with the Board…”
In terms of the Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987, Municipal Fire Services remains the only service that is allowed to fight fires in the City of Tshwane. Private companies need to apply for permission from the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC to fight fires in designated areas of the city, so as to ensure they support the city’s mandate in a legal and co-ordinated manner.
It is important to note that the DA-led administration did not allocate any capital budget to Emergency Services in the 2022/2023 financial year, neither under failed DA ex-Mayor Cilliers Brink in the 2023/2024 financial year.
The long-overdue appointment of Chief of Emergency Services and Chief of Police in November 2023 was key to building internal capacity to fight fires and crime in the Capital City. In July 2024, R2 million capital budget was allocated to Emergency Services, and 11 new support vehicles were purchased under the new administration. This financial year, R6 million capital budget has been allocated for the purchase of new fire fighting vehicles.
Companies like Fidelity Securefire (Pty) Ltd, which failed DA ex-Mayor Brink seems keen to promote, have become well-resourced businesses due to years of mismanagement of public funds in the City of Tshwane, but have failed to successfully obtain designation from the COGTA MEC, as required by law. In fact, none of the private companies operating in Tshwane, including Fire Ops SA, Sinoville Firefighting Association and Laudium Disaster Management have obtained such designation from the Gauteng COGTA MEC. Despite numerous attempts by the City of Tshwane at resolution, no meaningful cooperation has been achieved.
As the taps on private business are being closed by the new administration, ActionSA is pleased to note new opportunities within the City of Tshwane are opening up. In September 2024, 76 new firefighters joined Emergency Services, and in January 2025, 98 paramedics were integrated into the city’s fire department after graduating as firefighters.
ActionSA remains committed to good governance by strengthening internal capacity and reducing the city’s reliance on tenderpreneurs and supply chain management processes. We encourage all businesses that seek to partner with the City of Tshwane, to ensure they are legal and compliant.