While trying to respond to a life-threatening emergency in Katlehong, last Sunday, a fire engine was torched by members of the Katlehong community.
The incident took place at about 5am in Moleleki Section, on Sunday.
“An Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) fire crew was responding to a shack fire but before they could arrive at the scene they were confronted by members of the public who threw stones and rocks at the engine, breaking all the windows and forcing the crew to abandon the vehicle and literally run away for their lives,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for DEMS.
“One of the community members jumped behind the steering wheel and drove they fire engine away after which the engine was torched.
“The fire engine and all the rescue and firefighting equipment were worth more R4.5-million.
“Nothing could be salvaged.”
It is alleged that the main reason for the community acting in such a manner was that they wanted to prevent the firefighters from extinguishing the burning shack as it is alleged that the owner of the shack had committed a crime.
“Allegedly the shack owner stabbed his neighbour to death during the night and everyone was avenging the murder by burning his shack,” said Ntladi.
“The suspect’s wife and two children escaped without injury when members of the public broke the shack down trying to get hold of the suspect who was in the shack at the time.
“The suspect sustained critical injuries on scene due to the assault by the members of the public and was transported to hospital by a council ambulance for further medical care.”
An inquest docket has been opened with the police and no arrests have been made as yet.
The executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina has condemned the setting alight of the fire engine.
“This kind of behaviour cannot be tolerated.
“We have just completed the roll-out of fire stations in all areas that historically did not have, and now some people in our communities are destroying the very same asset that is supposed to save their lives.
“We strongly condemn such barbaric criminal acts which can only deprive the broader society of much-needed services,” Masina said.
“In the past we have had isolated incidents where our crews were attacked while attending to emergencies, especially the ambulance teams.
“However, this is by far the biggest attack in recent times and we thank God that none of our people were killed or injured in the attack.”
Masina appealed to the community to assist in protecting public and private property.
“We can never prosper as a country if this is the behaviour we always undertake to demonstrate our frustrations.
“Let us protect property so that we are all guaranteed a much safer way of living,” he said.
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