Press Statement by Robert Dlamini: DA Caucus Leader City of Mbombela
-A multimillion fire station in Matsulu is non-operational.
-Residents in the area and surrounding areas have their work cut out dealing with fire incidents.
-We have asked the Executive Mayor to look into this and conduct an investigation.
21 September 2026
Release: Immediate
The DA in Mbombela calls on the Executive Mayor, Sibongile Makushe – Mazibuko, to initiate an investigation into the abandoned R6.5 million Matsulu Fire Station. Despite being launched in 2019, the fire station remains non-operational.
The fire station was designed to serve as a vital dual public safety hub for emergency fire and rescue services as well as local traffic officers. However, the building currently sits empty and is guarded by a private security company contracted by the municipality.
While this facility gathers dust, the cash-strapped City of Mbombela continues to bleed public funds, incurring monthly fruitless and wasteful expenditure on security services, water, and electricity for an idle building.
During an oversight, we discovered that due to neglect and a total lack of repairs and maintenance, the infrastructure is now deteriorating at an alarming rate, leaving it highly vulnerable to theft and vandalism.
The consequences of this administrative failure have been devastating for the local community. During this prolonged period of non-functionality, more than five residential homes and a local business have been completely gutted by fire. In each instance, residents were left entirely helpless, receiving no rescue or emergency response from the services they were promised.
Despite constant outcry and formal complaints from affected community members, the municipality has turned a blind eye. The DA has repeatedly raised this matter in council and within the relevant portfolio committees, yet our submissions have been met with complete apathy, receiving zero attention or intervention from municipal leadership.
The people of Matsulu and surrounding areas need to note such shortcomings. The DA is the only viable party capable of bringing change. If elected in the upcoming Local Government Elections, we will strictly enforce a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and mismanagement.
The DA will not allow millions in public funds to be wasted while the lives and properties of Matsulu residents remain at constant risk. The municipality needs to take accountability and provide a clear timeline for when this station will become fully operational.
For media enquiries:
Robert Dlamini
DA Caucus Leader City of Mbombela
082 554 7092