The City of Cape Town (COCT) says their firefighters have become targets of senseless and dangerous attacks after three vehicles were stoned in less than 24 hours this past weekend. According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, the first incident took place around 9 am on Saturday, October 2, where firefighters from Gugulethu withdrew from the scene of a motor vehicle accident on Oliver Tambo Avenue in Manenberg after the crowd became volatile and stoned their vehicle, damaging the windscreen and side passenger window.
Smith says the second incident occurred after 11 pm on Saturday evening when pedestrians stoned a fire vehicle from Wynberg close to the Gugulethu Fire station. The windscreen and side passenger window were also damaged in the process.
” The third vehicle was stoned an hour later when firefighters responded to informal structures alight in Isikhova street in Mfuleni. Shortly after arriving on the scene, the crew was stoned by community members,” Smith indicated.
Smith reiterated that one can’t be sure what the motivation is, but stated that attacking emergency services staff is not the answer as they are trained and deployed to help.
“In fact, all that will happen is that staff will be forced to wait for an enforcement escort before responding, which will slow down reaction times and put lives and property at unnecessary risk,” Smith said.
Read also: COCT unveils 19 new vehicles to assist with Fire and Rescue Service
Meanwhile, the COCT has received some heavy criticism for confiscating ten tents belonging to homeless people who live in Van Riebeeck Park. According to reports, officials believe that more tents confiscated will result in a safer city.
A statement by the COCT’s Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato indicates that these crucial by-laws will help the city to protect land and buildings from unlawful occupation. Plato said that they are a caring city seeking to uphold the rule of law.
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