Ambulance wars meeting snubbed
One party in dangerous high-speed chase spurns invitation
AN ambulance provider whose vehicle was shown in video footage attempting to drive an opposition ambulance off the road, failed to attend a meeting yesterday with government authorities investigating the incident.
The management meeting between the Eastern Cape Department of Health and several ambulance providers was held to discuss last week’s highspeed chase and standoff on the N2 outside East London.
Both Dynamic Emergency Medical Services and Maponya 911 were summoned to Bhisho after the video showing one ambulance attempting to drive the other off the road while travelling at high speed went viral on social media.
The incident happened as both raced to a three-car pileup last Thursday.
However, Dynamic management – whose medic allegedly pulled a firearm on other medics after a heated argument at the scene – failed to attend the meeting.
Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the outcome of the meeting was that the matter would be discussed with police commissioner General Cynthia Binta to fast-track the investigation and ensure laws are not flouted again.
“The aspect of speeding that was caught on film will be escalated to the Department of Transport for investigation of the violation of road regulations,” he said
“The video also shows that the [Dynamic] ambulance does not meet certain roadworthy regulations.
“In addition, the matter is go- ing to be escalated . . . to the Health Professions Council of South Africa for immediate investigation into the incident and medics involved.”
Kupelo said the meeting was attended by all district medical managers and several other private ambulance providers.
“The department raised concerns about the violations and unbecoming behaviour demonstrated by the two operators,” Kupelo said.
“Regrettably, Dynamic private ambulance service did not honour the invitation . . . ”
Kupelo said it was vital action was taken to curb such lawlessness. “This incident has done severe damage to the image of all Eastern Cape medics and emergency services,” he said.
“As the custodians of health in the province, we cannot allow people to gamble with people’s lives and endanger other road users’ lives.”
Kupelo said they were pushing for new regulations – signed into law in May – to be implemented which would allow the department to review the ambulance providers’ operating licences.
At 10am yesterday, Dynamic spokesman Rudy Watson claimed to be unaware of the meeting, but at 4pm – after the meeting had adjourned – he had been aware of it but chose not to attend.
“We did respond [to their invitation] stating that we are doing an internal investigation and we will be doing a press release next week,” he said.
Police said Maponya 911 driver Pumelela Tiyo, 32, had been arrested for allegedly assaulting Dynamic driver Luvo Tyokolo, 23.
Tyokolo was arrested for pointing a firearm at Tiyo. Both were released after appearing in an East London court.