MMC’s plea to resolve emergency services issues

Pertinent issues facing the City of Joburg’s emergency services sector have to be dealt with before it is “provincialised”, according to public safety MMC Michael Sun.

This was in response to health MEC Bandile Masuku’s comments this week, saying he was determined to see through the process of putting the city’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) under provincial administration.

The comments followed several management issues, including a protracted dispute between EMS and over 200 of mainly firefighters, who were in their second month of paid suspension.

“The city would welcome any input by Gauteng provincial government to resolve some of the operational issues being faced by the city, said Sun, but said any reckless decision would result in irreversible damage for residents.

Sun’s concerns echoed those of union Samwu, which earlier this week cast doubt on whether the provincial government could iron out the management and operational issues facing emergency services in the city. Rival union Demawusa has been pushing for provincialisation.

Sun also wanted the provincial government to reveal what financial budget had been allocated by government for the procurement of operational necessities, including a new fleet, and what supply contracts were in place.

Astronomically driven climate changes in the past caused major human migration events.

Axel Timmermann Pusan University