Moonlighting medic faces double whammy

Man “used” ambulance to transport people for profit

An emergency medical services official ostensibly caught red-handed using an ambulance as a taxi in Free State is facing a double whammy – a disciplinary hearing and criminal charges.

The basic life support medic was reprimanded by taxi operators during a confrontation recorded on video at Wepener station in Mangaung.

In the video‚ there appear to be “passengers” in the ambulance holding their cellphones as the furore unfolds.

Free State health department spokesman Mondli Mvambi said yesterday the official was on duty when the video was recorded last week.

“He is an employee of the department of health‚” Mvambi said.

The man was immediately suspended and will face an internal disciplinary hearing. Mvambi said the medic‚ who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when the video was recorded‚ was arrested but later released on bail.

“He will have a chance to state his case. If you are taken to the disciplinary hearing‚ there is no prejudice. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

“It normally takes seven to 14 working days before a person is called in to appear. But it is still the first weeks of January. People are still returning to work.”

The medic‚ in his green uniform‚ appears to be inattentive in the video as he is being scolded by taxi operators.

“Hey man‚ why are you loading these passengers? Is it your job or ours as taxis [as taxi drivers]‚” the operators demanded.

“Our job is to load passengers‚ yours is to load patients. There is nothing special about you. I can see even when we speak to you that you even don’t get it. Give the passengers their money back so that you may be able to leave. And while you are at it teach them where to get taxis [next time].”

People can be heard in the video claiming: “He is drunk. A case must be opened against him.”

Free State police were not immediately available to elaborate on the status of charges against the official. –