Soldiers not trained to fight fire – Kapofi

Govt deploys amateur military recruits to contain Etosha wildfires

Minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi has confirmed that the soldiers deployed to fight wildfires at Etosha National Park are not trained or equipped as firefighters.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism on Sunday announced that 364 soldiers were deployed in and around the park.

Some 100 of these were recruits who are currently undergoing training at the Namibian Defence Force’s Osona base 16km outside Okahandja.

Of the 364 soldiers, 30 will support mopping-up and monitoring operations in the park.

Kapofi was responding to concerns raised by Namibia Emergency Response Unit (Neru) chairperson Sean Naude on Wednesday about the soldiers lacking the skills to fight wildfires as some were using grass beaters to battle one of Namibia’s worst fires.

“Soldiers are not trained to fight fires. Soldiers are trained to fight people, not fires. But they are there to support, and they have put out fires everywhere,” Kapofi said.

He said the ministry does not have the equipment to fight fires, nor does it buy equipment for that purpose.

“Why are they [Naude] so negative about it? Yes, we know we don’t have the equipment to fight fires,” he said.

Kapofi said it is important to appreciate the efforts made by the soldiers without the necessary equipment.

He said they have extinguished fires at Etosha National Park and other areas.

The minister denied that the equipment used by the soldiers would have started new fires.

“We believe in our soldiers. They have done their best, and we applaud them for that,” he said.

GRASS BEATERS

Naude says troops were using grass beaters to fight the fires in the park, a method that, if used incorrectly, could worsen a blaze rather than contain it.

“There is a technique to using a fire beater, and it was evident that these members were not trained on proper fire control,” he says.

“The coals and sparks fly into the air, starting new fires. When you beat the fire from the side, you’re pushing coals and flames into dry areas, which just encourages the fire,” he says.

Naude says he has reviewed footage showing soldiers attempting to control the fire, and it was “very clear” they had not received firefighting training.

Compounding the problem, Naude says the helicopters deployed by the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) are not equipped with bambi buckets – essential tools used to carry and drop water onto fire zones.

“We’ve advised the government to invest in bambi buckets, but they also need to ensure operators are trained to use them properly,” he says.

Although the minister claimed the soldiers had managed to put out the fires at Etosha, fires were still burning in the Ruacana, Okahao, and Otamanzi constituencies of the Omusati region by Wednesday.

Meanwhile, environment ministry chief forester for the Kavango West and East regions Jonas Mwiinghi, who leads the firefighting groups, yesterday told the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) the area was still on fire.

He said he was deployed to the region as a fire expert. The fire affected the Oshikoto, Oshana and Omusati regions, he said.

Mwiinghi said some animals died and were injuried in the fire.

Omusati governor Immanuel Shikongo on Wednesday night also told The Namibian the fire was still burning in his region.

The governor urged residents to volunteer and participate in firefighting efforts.

He said those who can should help provide firefighting equipment, as well as food and water.

MILITARY RECRUITS

There are concerns that the military has deployed recruits to fight the Etosha fires to avoid paying its full-time staff allowances.

The Namibian has learnt that the soldiers who were deployed are part of this year’s March intake.

Other soldiers who were asked to fight fires are from the Oshakati and Osona military bases.

They have all since returned to their bases.

Defence ministry spokesperson Petrus Shilumbu yesterday said the NDF’s deployment is in line with its mandate to assist during disasters.
He described the deployment as a “valuable opportunity” for recruits to gain real-life emergency experience.

“Under the guidance of experienced personnel, the recruits are not only contributing effectively but also gaining valuable experience in emergency management, which strengthens their understanding of military principles and preparedness.”

Shilumbu said NDF members are using conventional veldfire tools and relying on physical fitness and discipline to support operations.

“It is important to clarify that the NDF does not offer formal firefighting courses nor possesses specialised firefighting equipment,” he said.

Shilumbu, however, dismissed claims that unqualified personnel were deployed, arguing that veldfire suppression does not require formal training.

“This is not the first time NDF recruits have been exposed to such operations during training,” he said, referring to similar support rendered during wildfires near Okahandja.

Shilumbu said the defence force does not pay soldiers subsistence and travel (S&T) allowances during firefighting operations, but does provide daily rations to sustain them in the field.

“We have deployed both the army and the air force, with helicopters flown by highly qualified NDF pilots,” he said.

Former NDF head Martin Shalli yesterday said helping during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, fires and outbreaks of diseases like Covid-19, soldiers are expected to come on board and provide humanitarian aid.

“There is nothing wrong with going in and helping, including trying to fight wildfires here in Namibia. Who is trained to fight fires here in Namibia?

“Is Namibia properly equipped to fight wildfires? That’s the question we should ask ourselves as a nation,” he said.

Shalli said the country needs to think out of the box to deal with disaster like fires.

“It’s not our primary task, but it is an addition to what we do. We deal with anything related to natural disasters, whether it is the distribution of drought-relief food,” he said.

‘TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE’

Former agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein yesterday said the environment ministry, which is the custodian of Etosha National Park, downplayed the fire when it reached the park.

“I believe in this case they deliberately downplayed the fire and under-reported what happened, and that is sad. Those that we entrusted to look after our things should be prepared to do that work well.

“Obviously they were ill prepared to do the job. They waited for a week before they would call for help. Civilians reported that they saw burnt animals and they said they were fake photos,” he said.

He said the ministry had no clue about the burnt animals.

“I think that’s an approach and attitude that should not recur. I am thankful the army came at the end and somehow controlled the fire, but I think it was too little too late,” Schlettwein said.

LOSS OF WILDLIFE

Environment minister Indileni Daniel told journalists at a press conference yesterday the fire has claimed six springboks, three duikers and one elephant.

“Additionally, nine drone support unit members will assist with aerial fire surveillance, while 30 NDF air force personnel will continue supporting aerial operations both inside and outside the Etosha National Park,” she said.

She said three veterinarians have also been deployed to Etosha to attend to injured animals.

The minister said the fire was still active at Ombonde outside the park and a combined team of 45 environment ministry officials and community volunteers has been dispatched to extinguish the fire.

“A smaller fire that was detected between Okeeholongo and Onambandje poses no immediate threat as it is surrounded by previously burnt terrain and it’s not spreading.

“Fires around Amarika and Onkaanka, including all surroundings area of Amarika, have been successfully extinguished,” the minister said.

– Additional reporting by Lugeretzia Kooper

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