SABC News reports that according to the Ekurhuleni metro municipality, the suspension of 48 female firefighters has had no impact on the rendering of emergency services to communities.  

The municipality indicated that the firefighters were suspended for staging an illegal march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in full uniform.  Their march was protest against their working conditions.  The SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), which represents firefighters, has accused the municipality of not having followed proper procedures when suspending its members.  Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Radebe said the matter was currently under investigation and Ekurhuleni was working very hard to make sure that it was brought to a closure.  He pointed out that the metro’s firefighters helped to deal with the recent Bank of Lisbon blaze in Johannesburg and emphasised that the suspensions “did not have any bearing in the services of the emergency services hence we were even able to assist in the City of Johannesburg.”

• Read this report by Ditaba Tsotetsi in full at SABC News

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