I am unapologetic for having helped fight Windvogel fire

15 June 2016

As a committed public representative I'm always dedicated to serving communities when in need.

The oath I took when sworn in as a member of the provincial legislature requires me to serve and help the people of this country, which is exactly what I did when I saw three houses in flames and desperate residents running for help.

A community in action assisting those in need is what inspires me to be a public representative.

I am not sorry to anyone for helping save the lives and homes of my fellow Nelson Mandela Bay residents.

With no emergency services on the scene yet, I could not drive past without helping, because I care for the people of this Metro.

Any person who cares and sees a fire and possessions being burnt would jump in and help in any way possible and that is exactly what I, various DA councillors and activists did.

I came to the aid of grief-stricken residents by dousing the flames with buckets of water and hose-pipes, and I am not sorry that I did.

I will not stand by and let vulnerable people suffer, as the ANC has done here for 22 years.

The ANC, in complaining about my assistance to these people, clearly would prefer that people's houses burn down rather than people getting all hands on deck to help.

The ANC is so out of touch with the real issues of the people of Nelson Mandela Bay that they have laid a desperate complaint against me for helping.

Upon arrival on scene, there was no immediate plan to evacuate or assist the residents, so the DA got to work by removing personal belongings, dousing the flames and assisting traumatised residents.

Since the blaze, the DA has twice returned to the destitute families to donate food and clothing.

The firemen, who arrived on scene some 15 minutes after us, were extremely professional and efficient and must be credited for their excellent work.

Issued by Athol Trollip, DA Mayoral Candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay, 15 June 2016