By Jantji Ngwenyama
A 35-year-old male ‘insane’ patient allegedly stole an ambulance in Tembisa on December 31.
Johannes Ramoseme told The Tembisan his nephew was vandalising their house at number 25 Maokeng and he called the police for help.
“The police came but said they did not arrest insane people. We told them about his mental condition but still they were not willing to help,” said Ramoseme.
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Ramoseme then went to Tembisa Police Station to seek clarity. He was advised to call an ambulance. He said when the ambulance came the mentally ill patient co-operated and went into the ambulance.
“While EMS employees were talking to me the ambulance drove off. We launched a search,” said Ramoseme.
Ekurhuleni Emergency Services spokesman, Aaron Mafunda, said: “The ambulance assistant left the vehicle and went to the family to ask for a person who could accompany the patient to the hospital. After a while the driver also left the ambulance to ask the assistant to hurry up.”
They allegedly saw the ambulance driving off. The ambulance was found around noon in Vusumuzi Simunye settlement on the same day. It had been driven into an empty shack. Mafunda said the shack’s occupants were away for the festive season holidays.
Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department’s Chief Superintendent Bheki Nhlapho said a case of theft and malicious damage to property and reckless and negligent driving would be opened.
