THE Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) boosted local municipalities’ ability to fight and prevent fire by handing over fire response vehicles to four local municipalities last Tuesday.
CDM mayor, Lawrence Mapoulo, handed over five utility vehicles (bakkies) and one sedan, which would be used as fire response vehicles. He also handed over a tractor loader backhoe (TLB) that would be used in fire prevention.
The Aganang, Molemole, Blouberg and Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipalities each received a bakkie. The remaining bakkie, as well as the sedan will be used by CDM. The TLB was handed over to Blouberg Municipality to be used in daily maintenance, including clearing fire roads in the area.
Mapoulo said the reason for this purchase was so that the municipalities’ disaster units could respond to emergencies quickly.
“Indeed we have a good story to tell. I am pleased to hand over this TLB and fire response vehicles.
“We are also going to make sure that we join hands with these municipalities in order for us to help those in rural areas.”
The mayor urged the beneficiaries to look after the vehicles and pointed out that the vehicles should not be used for personal matters. “I know that the community will inform us if any of the drivers are using the fire response vehicles for their own personal use. Those who are found guilty will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
The handover was made possible in partnership with Bells, BB Auto, and Simunye Fleet Management.
Simunye Fleet Management’s general manager, Balefilwe Raphala, said other municipalities should follow in CDM’s footsteps.
CDM spokesperson, Moffat Senyatso, said they welcomed the vehicles.
“We want to increase our disaster management capacity and increase great service delivery,” he said.
