WOLMARANSTAD, North West — A severe public safety emergency is unfolding in Tswelelang, Wolmaranstad, where residents are left dangerously exposed due to a crippled emergency response system. For nearly 90 days, the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Fire and Rescue Department has been operating with a faulty emergency landline, a crisis compounded by a drastic shortage of functional fire trucks. Lerato Bontes, spokesperson for the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, has stepped forward to address the compounding challenges that have already resulted in destroyed homes and informal shacks.
The communication blackout at the local fire station has created a perilous situation for the community. Not only are residents unable to promptly report blazes, but station employees are also locked out of making or receiving calls on the affected line. According to municipal briefings, the prolonged outage stems from the expiration of a telecommunications service provider’s contract. The district municipality is currently navigating formal supply chain protocols to onboard a new provider, an administrative delay that has now stretched into its third month.
Beyond the telecommunications failure, the department’s physical capacity to combat fires is severely restricted. Out of a total fleet of six fire and water trucks, only two are currently deemed fully operational. One additional vehicle is scheduled for routine servicing, while the remaining units are undergoing diagnostic testing to identify the specific maintenance required before they can be safely returned to active duty.
This lack of immediate emergency support is particularly devastating during the dry, dusty winter months. The situation is further aggravated by a pre-existing water scarcity in the Tswelelang area, stripping residents of the ability to manually contain small fires while awaiting professional help. In the interim, the district municipality has advised the public to utilize an alternative emergency contact number, which has been published on official municipal social media channels.
Clarifying the administrative structure, Lerato Bontes emphasized that while the fire station is physically situated within the Maquassi Hills jurisdiction, fire and rescue services are managed and funded at the district municipality level. Acknowledging the profound impact this has on the community, the local municipality has issued a formal and sincere apology to the affected residents.
To force a tangible resolution, the local executive mayor is slated to escalate the issue directly with the district executive mayor during upcoming Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) meetings and mayoral forums. The goal is to secure a permanent, tailored fix for the vulnerable community and restore full emergency response capacity to the area.
