Upenyu Chaota
MASVINGO – After Masvingo city fire department was praised for putting down a potentially disastrous blaze at Zimpost building a fortnight ago, Peter Lobel has come forward and donated a 5 000-litre fire engine and rescue equipment through his Mudzimi Wemoto project.
The fire engine comes as a replacement to the one which was damaged in an accident in November 2015 when it crushed on its way to Masvingo airport where a French aeroplane had made an emergency landing.
Speaking at the handover ceremony on Saturday last week Masvingo Mayor, Hubert Fidze said he was proud of the fruit-bearing relationship that the city has with Lobel.
“Mr Lobel is our all-weather friend who has stood by us in all times. Through his Mudzimi Wemoto project, the city has benefitted a lot. In 2014 we received our first donation of two fire engines.
“Unfortunately in 2015, one of the donated fire engines was involved in an accident while on duty. We told Mr Lobel of the incident and today he has come to make a replacement with a much bigger engine.
“We appreciate all the support he has given to us. Our fire department will now be efficient and ready to respond whenever there is a fire or rescue mission,” said Fidze.
Lobel said he will always be there to offer help to Masvingo as well as other cities in as far as the provision of fire and rescue equipment is concerned.
“We are here to save lives and property. I have made donations in Kariba, Gokwe and Marondera. More donors are chipping in the project and we call on all well-wishers to chip in the Mudzimi Wemoto project,” said Lobel.
The city’s fire department has successfully carried rescue missions in road accidents along the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway and they recently rushed to an accident in Gutu involving an Inter Africa bus where they arrived in time to rescue trapped victims from the wreckage.
Earlier this year they put out a fire that engulfed a Mukaro High School dormitory.news
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