Theseus Mauruki Shambare in BULAWAYO
SEVENTEEN Belarusian fire tenders previously impounded in Lithuania are reportedly on their way to Zimbabwe and expected before month-end, as the Government strengthens local authorities’ emergency response capacity through its partnership with Belarus.
Civil Protection Unit (CPU) Chief Director Mr Nathan Nkomo confirmed the development, saying the consignment would boost firefighting capacity following the distribution of Red Lion tenders to local authorities.
“You remember there was a story whereby 17 fire trucks were impounded by Lithuania, but they are now on their way to Zimbabwe.
Before the end of October, we will receive the consignment,” he said.
The vehicles were seized at Lithuania’s port of Klaipeda in March 2023 while in transit from Belarus, over suspected links to a company under European Union sanctions.
Despite Zimbabwe’s protests that it was an innocent third party and had lawfully procured the equipment, Lithuania wanted to auction the vehicles leading to the intervention of the Government of Zimbabwe, through Attorney-General Mrs Virginia Mabiza, who mounted a legal challenge.
However, Mr Nkomo said the consignment was already on its way to Harare.
He said equipping the country’s 92 local authorities with fire tenders was a major intervention in preparing for veld fires and urban fires.
“It was a wisdom by His Excellency to think of capacitating all the 92 local authorities with a fire tender. It was a change,” he said.
