The Mpumalanga Department of Health has confirmed that its own Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff appear to behind the sabotage of 24 of their own vehicles, and that the provincial office is investigating suspicious malicious damage to ambulances by personnel.
The department was responding to a question posed in Parliament, and last week provided details of the fleet’s problems, reports The Citizen.
Staff were first implicated in October after two dozen ambulances were rendered inoperable due to multiple cases of unexplained damage.
Sabotage was first suggested by the automotive dealer tasked with servicing the vehicles after a number of ambulances were booked in for repairs for the same faults.
The dealership listed seven suspected acts of sabotage, including the addition of oil to the brake fluid reservoir, fuel contamination, punctured radiator pipes and removed fuses.
Faults that implied neglect rather than sabotage included vehicles driven without water in the radiators and damaged seatbelts due to misuse.
EFF MP Lorato Tito-Duba suggested the staff’s motive for the sabotage was an attempt to skip work.
Under investigation
Mpumalanga police could not confirm if any cases have been opened, while the Health Department was unable to confirm if anyone has yet faced disciplinary action.
While the investigations are under way, flagged EMS stations have been instructe to oversee tighter fleet management. Additionally, refuelling is limited to selected filling stations to help eliminate fuel contamination.
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