Beitbridge, a border town in Zimbabwe, witnessed a tragic incident yesterday when a house caught fire and the local fire department failed to contain the blaze. Despite having state-of-the-art fire tenders sourced by the government from Belarus, the firefighters could not operate the modern machinery and arrived late at the scene.
The fire started in one of the rooms of the house, which was rented by several tenants. According to some of them, the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault. They said they had reported the issue to the owner of the house, the late Sobala Ncube, several times, but nothing was done to fix it.
The tenants managed to take out some of their valuables, but the room where the fire started was destroyed. No casualties were reported, but the damage to the property was estimated to be significant.
Fire Station Lacks Training and Leadership
The fire station, which was built by the government in partnership with the Zimborders Consortium under a private-public partnership, was supposed to enhance the safety and security of the town. However, it turned out to be a source of embarrassment and frustration for the residents and officials.
According to sources, only one elderly firefighter, identified as Phiri, had been trained to use the new fire equipment. He was accused of being selfish with his knowledge and the keys to the vehicle and of not being willing to train his co-workers. He also did not show up on time when the fire broke out.
The town treasurer, Anymore Mbedzi, had to intervene and order a refuse compactor driver to drive the fire tender to the fire scene. However, none of the firemen could operate the new machine. Another fireman, who had secretly trained himself, had to be sought, but by then the fire had spread.
Residents and Officials Demand Accountability and Improvement
The poor performance of the fire department sparked outrage and disappointment among the residents and officials of Beitbridge. They demanded accountability and improvement from the local authority and the fire station.
The town clerk, Loud Ramakgapola, said he was disappointed and embarrassed by the incident. He said he would investigate the matter and take appropriate action. He also said he would ensure that the fire station was fully equipped and staffed with trained and competent personnel.
Senator Tambudzani Mohadi, who was among the people who offered help, said the situation was embarrassing and unfortunate. She said the fire station was a critical infrastructure for the town and should be ready to respond to emergencies. She also said the fire department should be professional and responsible.
A resident, Beji Muleya, said the incident reflected badly on the local authority. He said the fire station was a waste of resources and a mockery of the town.
Hope for a Better Future
Despite the tragedy, some residents expressed hope for a better future for Beitbridge. They said the town had the potential to grow and prosper, especially with the ongoing upgrade and modernization of the border post, which is expected to boost trade and tourism.
They also said they hoped the fire incident would serve as a wake-up call for the local authority and the fire station to improve their services and performance.
The residents also said they hoped the community would come together and support each other in times of crisis and need.
Source: New Zimbabwe
