The curious case of the Tshwane fire station that was unveiled twice

Promise date: 15 April 2021
Due date: 30 June 2021
Source: State of the City address 2021
Promise outcome: Kept in part

In April 2021, mayor Randall Williams told Tshwane residents he would unveil the Mamelodi fire station towards the end of June.

However, the station only started operating more than a year later – in September 2022 – and was then unveiled in December.

Curiously, the same station had also been unveiled in October 2021, before completion. Note: We asked spokesperson Sipho Stuurman why the station was unveiled twice and will add his comment if received.

[HAPPENING NOW] Tshwane mayor Cllr Randall Williams, and MMC for Community Safety, Cllr Karen Meyer, are today launching the new Mamelodi Fire Station in Region 6 to serve residents in surrounding areas, such as Mamelodi and Nellmapius. The station will be operational soon. pic.twitter.com/mhqKpMiAnM

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) October 28, 2021

Tshwane mayor Randall Williams officially opens the multimillion rand Mamelodi fire station @tshwane_mayor @CityTshwane #Mamelodi #FireStation #Fire pic.twitter.com/ctvzDKafCL

— Pretoria News (@pretorianews) December 6, 2022

The station, which cost R55 million according to a media release, serves communities that were previously dependent on a fire station some 15 kilometres away.

Mayoral committee member for community safety Grandi Theunissen reportedly said project delays were caused by “disruptions by residents, high levels of rain and Covid”.

Verdict
According to the mayor, the Mamelodi fire station was on track for completion and would be unveiled “towards the end of [the] financial year”. The 2020/21 financial year ended on 30 June 2021.

The station has, however, only been in use since September 2022. Both its unveilings took place after June 2021.

Since the fire station was delivered, but after the deadline, we rate this promise as kept in part.

– Track My Mayor