By Ncaba Ntshakala and Lwazi Dlamini
The government has acknowledged the unprecedented scale of veld fires this year, which have wreaked havoc across parts of the country, causing significant damage to property, infrastructure, and the environment.
However, during a recent meeting with the Editors Forum, the Prime Minister Russell Dlamini emphasized that it was primarily the south-western regions that were most affected, not the entire country.
A combination of factors contributed to the crisis, including the effects of climate change, overgrowth caused by last summer’s heavy rains, a particularly dry winter, and strong winds that fueled the fires’ spread.
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In response to this escalating threat, the government is taking decisive steps to improve fire prevention and management.
One key initiative is the promotion of public education on the dangers of grass fires, which have become increasingly prevalent.
Additionally, the establishment of community Fire Marshals, equipped with essential firefighting knowledge, aims to empower local communities to take a proactive role in preventing and managing fire outbreaks.
These measures come in light of findings that some fires have been deliberately started by members of the community, a concern that the government intends to address with urgency.
As part of its efforts, the government has compiled comprehensive records to assess the economic and social toll of the veld fires.
In 2022, there were 404 reported fire incidents, a figure that nearly doubled to 813 in 2023. This year, since July alone, 866 incidents have been recorded, tragically resulting in the loss of one human life.
These statistics point to a disturbing trend of increasing fire incidents year after year, with substantial damage inflicted on both infrastructure and property.
The government is now conducting detailed assessments to quantify the economic losses incurred and to develop strategies to mitigate future risks.
These efforts are integral to a broader commitment to enhancing fire prevention and response measures nationwide.
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In addition to these preventive measures, the government asserted that it is focused on upgrading and maintaining firefighting equipment to ensure it is reliable and functional during emergencies.
There is also a concerted effort to enhance the training programs for the Fire Department which aims to boost its operational efficiency.
Government highlighted that this forms part of a collaborative approach in which the Fire Department works closely with other emergency services, such as the police, particularly in incidents like road traffic accidents, building fires, drowning cases, and emergencies like the recent tragic event in Manzini.
“The synergy between these departments is critical to ensuring swift and effective responses to all types of emergencies,” said the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Apollo Maphalala during the meeting.
Again, it has been shared that the Fire Rescue and Emergencies Department is actively engaged in multiple programs designed to reduce fire occurrences.
These include a radio program aimed at raising public awareness about fire prevention and emergency response, regular fire inspections across both public and private infrastructure to enforce fire safety standards, and quarterly fire training sessions for the private sector, which have already resulted in a noticeable reduction in incidents within the business community.
Furthermore, the department works closely with the construction industry, inspecting building plans to ensure they meet fire prevention standards and monitoring adherence to these specifications throughout the building process.
Despite these initiatives, the government has noted that the Fire Department faces several challenges that hinder its ability to deliver optimal service.
A shortage of personnel is a pressing issue, as is the inadequate supply and malfunctioning of firefighting equipment.
Furthermore, the government also shared that there is a gap in the public’s implementation of essential fire prevention measures,
such as creating fire breaks around homes and infrastructure, which could significantly reduce the risk of fires spreading.
