The Pretoria High Court has reserved judgment in a case that will determine whether private groups may lawfully provide firefighting services in Tshwane. The metro argues that volunteer and private teams are operating as unauthorised fire brigades in violation of emergency services legislation.

Supporters of the private services say no law prohibits community firefighting and insist these teams step in when the city fails to respond. The court’s decision will set an important precedent for emergency support in the capital.