Tshwane's legal fight with private firefighters

THE City of Tshwane’ legal action against private firefighting services in the city, especially targeting those it deems to be operating illegally, took a turn even before the main matter has been enrolled, with an interlocutory judgment that the metros legal team did not obtain the necessary mandate in time to act on behalf of the metro in the court application.

- ZELDA VENTER

The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, imposed a costs order against the municipality due to its bungling in their case against the Sinoville Firefighting Association (SFA). AfriForum, whose legal team is assisting the firefighters in their legal bid, said the money will now be used to strengthen private and civilian firefighting capacity in this metro.

The SFA, as well as one other private firefighting service, is embroiled in a legal battle with the metro after the latter brought an application to have private firefighting services operating in the metro declared illegal. The City alleges that the private firefighters are contravening the statutory prescripts regarding the rendering of firefighting services in the Metro’ jurisdiction.