Vehicles pelted with rocks

FIREFIGHTERS called to douse a fire in Nyanga in four trucks were targeted by residents, who pelted them with stones on their way back to their base.

The front-passenger windows of one of the trucks were shattered, resulting in the vehicle temporarily being out of service.

The firefighters were on their way back to the Gugulethu fire station, after extinguishing a shack fire on the outskirts of Nyanga, when they came under attack in Mahobe Street, City Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Theo Layne said.

The City condemned the attack on the firefighter trucks in Nyanga.

Motorists using Govan Mbeki Road were advised to use alternative routes after roads were closed when people started throwing rocks at vehicles.

Layne said the attacks have a “direct impact on the firefighters’ ability to provide effective and efficient service to the very same communities that are carrying out these senseless attacks”.

“Occurrences such as these becoming more frequent result in staff having to attend trauma counselling sessions. Firefighters dedicate themselves to saving lives, property and the environment on a daily basis, and have to contend with the normal dangers which are inherent to the job.”

Layne said it seemed the communities committing these acts “do not want or appreciate our help”.

Nyanga Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Martin Makasi said the City should not single out only firefighters, as most motorists were pelted with stones, including buses and various company vehicles, on Monday during the taxi strike.

“We condemn all types of violence, whether it is an attack on ambulances or firefighters.

“We can’t single out firefighters, everybody was affected.

“People should not want to score political points but look at the broader situation.

“Why does the City not release a statement when communities guarded firefighters when they are on duty?

“As government and the communities, we should find a way to stop these attacks from happening in the future when such a strike arises,” said Makasi.

Police spokesperson Henrietta van Niekerk said during the strike 53 people were arrested and charged for business robbery, malicious damage to property, public violence and possession of stolen property.

They are to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court today, said Van Niekerk.