The Jacobs Fire Station, South of Durban, is to receive a R63.5 million, in reconstruction, over three financial terms, which will include the demolition of the existing facility and a modern rebuild, and the design and planning process for the project was at an advanced stage. The Fire Station is presently out of commission and in close proximity to some of the metro’s key heavy industries and dense residential areas, is set to undergo, a multi-million transformation to improve its service delivery output.
The municipality considered that the existing facilities at the site were not conducive for the efficient and effective functioning of this strategically located and critically important fire station. The assessment also revealed that the property, including the buildings and associated structures, did not comply with the National Building Regulation and that the facility had deteriorated to the point were extensive intervention was required. It was also found that the fire station had outgrown the limitations of the existing building and urgently needed expansion to meet current operational requirements. The various ad hoc alterations undertaken over the years to address expanding operational needs, including providing facilities for female fire officers, had negatively impacted space planning, functionality, and compliance with building regulations. The assessors reported that the existing roof structure had exceeded its useful lifespan and required immediate replacement.
The municipality stated that the Jacobs precinct had experienced significant growth and industrialisation over the years, resulting in an increased demand for fire and emergency response services.
The municipal council made the right call, to reconstruct and upgrade the Jacobs Fire Station. It is at a key juncture where industrial accidents can happen. The precinct is at the heart of determining the prevention of fire risk. It is a facility as vital as any hospital, police station or other fire brigade that determines the saving of lives. In a world of ever evolving technology, infrastructure and equipment has to be constantly improved, upgraded or adapted. Prevention of negligence should have taken place at the Jacobs Fire Station. The precinct should not have been allowed to deteriorate, to reach the condition it was in. The issue of its neglect could have been prevented if its conditions were monitored. It is the role of the municipality to ensure fire station precincts like Jacobs are kept under inspection.
This poses the question of what the municipal council was doing in regard to the situation in the industrialised area to the south of Durban. All fire stations and other public facilities in the city have to be at their best condition.
Meanwhile the city has to still look into the matter of xenophobic violence.
After eight weeks of living out in the open on Che Guevara Road, the scores of refugees seeking shelter at the gates of the Durban Refugee Reception Centre say that reintegration into communities is near impossible for them as they have nowhere else to go. The displaced refugees from the DRC, Burundi, and other African nations fled their homes in eThekwini out of fear and found themselves making camp on the pavement near the Refugee Centre in May. Entering another week of being in limbo, the refugees’ spokesperson, Bishop Raphael Bahebwa, said they can’t leave.
The state of homeless refugees on the streets casts a bad light on eThekwini region and municipality. Being a refugee who has escaped war in a foreign country is not the same as being an illegal immigrant. These expatriates are marginalized with no way of returning home. They have been left destitute by conflict. Their presence on the street creates a situation of uncertainty for the municipal council. These people cannot return to their homes due to being fearful for their lives. Durban Metro is an international hub and port and the image of refugees on its streets casts a negative light on its image. This is not good for business and could lead to a decline in trade. The Municipal Council must reconsider cleaning up its act.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
