Firefighters from Cape Town responded to a call on Monday night, in a location where a shack caught fire. When they arrived, they had to leave immediately as the squatters threw their firefighting vehicles with stones.
Three firefighting vehicles rushed to the scene of a burning shack in Phumlani-location in Lotus River on the Cape flats, but the squatters would not allow them to reach the fire and they had no choice but to leave. When they returned a while later, the situation was still volatile.
The City of Cape Town has expressed concern about the rising number of attacks on firefighters. Since November 2015, there have been several incidents where firefighters were pelted with stones, and damage to firefighting vehicles.
The city of Cape Town has had more than 17 such incidents during the period April to October 2015 in the following areas Klipheuwel, Khayelitsha, Retreat, Vrygrond, Dunoon, Elsiesrivier, Manenberg and Nyanga where rescue vehicles are stoned.
“In what universe is there anyone who prevents a firefighter from doing their work of saving lives and property, unless that person has an agenda?” Said a spokesman for the City.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
