The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Service Department, which dealth with over 100 disasters last year, is beset by shortages of equipment and disaster management staff like firefighters.
This was a concern expressed by councillors during an ordinary council sitting yesterday at Tshwane House, where they debated the 2024/25 disaster risk management annual report.
Part of the report noted that the emergency services unit had dealt with 100 significant incidents, such as flooding, shack fires, thunderstorms, and sinkholes with about R92 million in damages recorded.
The report, however, highlighted that resource constraints, infrastructure backlogs, and rapid urbanisation continue to affect the effectiveness of disaster risk management initiatives.
“Vulnerability in informal settlements remains high due to dense populations, poor infrastructure, and socio-economic conditions. And, climate change has intensified hazards such as flooding,…
