Latest news with #SABreweries
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane goes to court in bid to douse volunteer firefighting services
Tshwane moves to court, citing safety and legal concerns over volunteer firefighting and unauthorised use of city resources. The City of Tshwane is accusing volunteer firefighting services of operating illegally, interfering with the city's command and control structures during emergency incidents and compromising incident scene management. The city also put a stop to AfriForum's Neighbourhood Watch and cleaning operations. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city has filed a court application to enforce compliance with legislation. Tshwane accuses volunteer firefighting groups of illegal operations 'These entities are functioning without legal authority, regulatory approval or formal agreements with the municipality, in direct contravention of national and local legislation governing emergency services. 'This development presents serious safety, legal and operational concerns that the city cannot ignore,' he said. ALSO READ: One dead in a shack fire at informal settlement in Ekurhuleni Mashigo said the city views this court action as necessary to restore order, protect public safety and ensure the regulation of emergency services. 'The provision of fire services is a constitutional mandate reserved exclusively for municipalities, as set out in Schedule 4, part B of the constitution of South Africa, 1996. 'Accordingly, any decision to outsource such services must be made by the municipal council following a rigorous process that includes public consultation, as required by the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000).' City has not adopted resolution to outsource its fire services Mashigo said to date, the city has not adopted any resolution to outsource its fire services, nor has it entered into service level agreements with any private providers. 'Furthermore, the Fire Brigade Services Act (Act 99 of 1987) stipulates that any fire service operating outside a municipality must obtain a formal designation from the relevant provincial authority. ALSO READ: WATCH: SA Breweries depot in Soweto goes up in flames 'None of the private fire services operating in Tshwane, including Fire Ops SA, Fidelity Secure Fire, Sinoville Firefighting Association and Laudium Disaster Management, has obtained such designation from the Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, as required by law,' he said. 'Moreover, they draw water from municipal fire hydrants without authorisation, contributing to unaccounted water losses and violating city bylaws. 'Beyond the legal infringements, these private services function on a 'for-profit basis', selectively targeting affluent suburbs and industrial areas, while ignoring the broader community,' he said. City made efforts to engage with entities 'They also issue no burn permits in contradiction of the city's official procedures, creating confusion and undermining the authority of legitimate emergency services.' The city has made multiple efforts to engage with these entities. ALSO READ: Man dies after fire guts shack in Palm Ridge in Ekurhuleni Directives were issued and engagements were referred to the appropriate disaster management authorities. However, these services remained noncompliant, he said. 'When letters of demand were served, they were met with threats and resistance. Despite several attempts at resolution, no cooperation was achieved.' The Sinoville Firefighting Association (SBBV) hit back and said they will continue to save lives and serve the community, despite the court application. SBBV hit back SBBV founder Johan Botha said the SBBV operates within the law and was not illegal. 'The SBBV is a volunteer organisation from the community, for the community. Not a single cent of SBBV's income is spent on salaries,' he added. ALSO READ: DEMS celebrates firefighters for their strive to save lives Botha said SBBV has applied for official recognition, which was denied. 'It is time Tshwane emergency services recognises that organisations such as the SBBV are their allies.'
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: DA calls firing ‘calculated assault'
Here's your daily news update for Thursday, 26 June 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has warned that South Africa's future is at risk following President Cyril Ramaphosa's dismissal of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield. Meanwhile, outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in different parts of the world have caused a division among key players in the poultry industry, with some believing the South African government must be stricter on banning imports from the countries, while some believe that if a stricter ban is imposed, the country will suffer. Furthermore, South African actress and comedic icon Meme Ditshego has passed away. Weather tomorrow: 27 June 2025 Expect light snow that could lead to traffic disruptions in parts of the Eastern Cape and very cold and windy conditions in the three Capes as well as the Free State. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. 'Greatest political mistake': Steenhuisen says Ramaphosa firing Whitfield was a 'calculated assault' Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has warned that South Africa's future is at risk following President Cyril Ramaphosa's dismissal of Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield. The announcement of Whitfield's dismissal was made on Thursday. DA leader John Steenhuisen at the Nieuwmeester Dome in Cape Town. Picture: Gallo Images This was due to Whitfield's trip to the United States (US) earlier this year without the president's approval – a decision made during a period of strained relations between South Africa and the US. CONTINUE READING: 'Greatest political mistake': Steenhuisen says Ramaphosa firing Whitfield was a 'calculated assault' WATCH: SA Breweries depot in Soweto goes up in flames Residents have been urged to stay clear of SA Breweries in Soweto, which was engulfed by a massive fire on Thursday afternoon. Johannesburg Emergency Services said firefighters responded to the fire incident at the brewery. SA Breweries depot in Soweto goes up in flames. Picture: The Citizen/Shaun Holland Spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the blaze reportedly began when grass in a nearby field caught fire. CONTINUE READING: WATCH: SA Breweries depot in Soweto goes up in flames SA might run out of chicken as bird flu import row ruffles feathers Outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in different parts of the world have caused a division among key players in the poultry industry, with some believing the South African government must be stricter on banning imports from the countries, while some believe that if a stricter ban is imposed, the country will suffer. Countries that have experienced an outbreak of the bird flu include Brazil and the United States. However, some states in the two countries do not have the disease, making chicken from those states safe to eat. Picture: iStock South Africa gets most of its chicken from the two countries. The Department of Agriculture has taken certain steps against imports from Brazil and the US. However, the South African Poultry Association (Sapa) has criticised these steps. CONTINUE READING: SA might run out of chicken as bird flu import row ruffles feathers Zuma takes new step to be reinstated as ANC member MK party leader and former president Jacob Zuma is not giving up on being reinstated as an ANC member, and is taking the fight to the courts. As the country marks the 70th Anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter on Thursday, Zuma is adamant that the disciplinary process that resulted in his firing was unlawful. President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Jacob Zuma. Photos: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen; Gallo Images After threatening legal action in January this year, Zuma has now launched an application against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC to set aside the decision to terminate his membership of the ANC. CONTINUE READING: Zuma takes new step to be reinstated as ANC member Veteran actress Meme Ditshego has died South African actress and comedic icon Meme Ditshego has passed away. Her talent agency confirmed the news in a statement released on Thursday. Actress Meme Ditshego passed away on Wednesday evening. Picture: X/Twitter According to the agency, Ditshego died on the evening of Wednesday, 25 June. CONTINUE READING: PICTURES: New-look Bok jerseys unveiled, including special '95 edition Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Morero stays | Joburg's cold and dark days ahead | Gauteng officials fail lifestyle audit
