President Jacob Zuma has requested the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, to intervene in resolving the matter of the 301 South African firefighters who went to assist in quelling fires in Canada.

The firefighters reportedly downed tools over a pay dispute.

The group was sent by the agency Working on Fire which is one of the projects of government’s flagship Expanded Public works programme. The programme is run by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).

The DEA will be assisted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in finding a solution to the impasse.

“South Africa warmly welcomes the opportunity provided to South African youth to work abroad.

“The relations between South Africa and Canada have deepened each year since the dawn of democracy and find expression in social, economic and political cooperation among others,” the Presidency said on Saturday.

Source:  SAnews.gov.za