Private Fire Services Not Illegal in Tshwane Metro, Court Finds

By Tarien Cooks
Disaster Management Specialist AfriForum

The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s legal action to have private firefighting services operating in the Metro declared illegal has failed. The Pretoria High Court today dismissed the Metro’s case with costs.

AfriForum’s legal team assisted the Sinoville Firefighting Association (SFA) in this case.

The court found that the rendering of firefighting services by businesses to their clients and by volunteers affiliated with associations is not prohibited by legislation.

However, private firefighting services may not interfere with the fire brigade’s powers granted by the Fire Services Act.

“This watershed decision is in the interest of all South Africans.

Where vital municipal services such as firefighting fall short, it is volunteers, private businesses and community organisations that step up,” says Tarien Cooks, Disaster Management Specialist at AfriForum.

AfriForum will soon write to the Metro requesting that all previous communications discouraging the Metro’s fire brigades from working with organisations such as the SFA be withdrawn.

“Instead of working against each other, we should join hands to foster an effective and productive collaborative relationship in the interests of residents,” Cooks adds.

AfriForum will continue to advocate for a fair, inclusive and effective approach to fire safety.

Copy of Judgement:

JUDGMENT OF CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPART & OTHERS v FIDELITY SECUREFIRE PTY LTD & ANOTHER