Following a fire in Lambton (GCN, October 2), in which a couple’s home was destroyed, residents of Eighth Avenue inquired why the fire hydrants along this street were faulty.
Matthew Baxter contacted the GCN in an attempt to get the answers he isn’t getting from the Ekurhuleni Metro, despite numerous calls.
“I logged a call with the metro’s call taking centre on Monday, September 28.
“I was told the hydrant would be repaired within the next 48 hours,” he said.
Baxter claims the metro, however, did not deliver on this promise and the fire hydrant had still not been repaired when he went to check on Friday, October 2.
Baxter believes there should be a maintenance plan in place to ensure that fire hydrants throughout the city are functioning properly.
The GCN sent a query to the metro to find out who is responsible for these hydrants and what type of maintenance plan is in place to ensure that all fire hydrants are operational.
After months of waiting, the metro’s spokesman, Themba Gadebe, responded to the GCN’s query.
“The fire hydrant has been repaired,” he said.
“Testing and preventative maintenance is the responsibility of the Emergency Services Department.
“The Water and Sanitation Department will perform essential maintenance and repairs,”
