The article about the orphan who nearly drowned at Hazyview Cabanas recently has sparked an uproar among members of the community.

The paramedic referred to in article, Mr Marius Van Staden, who refused to go to the scene of the incident due to the lodge not being a client of his, approached the newspaper to give his side of the story.
He explained that he has provided the Cabanas numerous quotations to join his membership scheme, but that Cabanas made a business decision not to be part of this.
A monthly contract holder told Hazyview Herald that he pays for this service every month.

“It would not be fair if they cannot attend to my needs now as they are providing a service, free of charge, for another party,” he said and added that as contract clients, they have the right to take action against the paramedic company should they be able to prove that they were out doing a call for a non-contract client.

Van Staden added that his services to lodges and hotels are not merely a response service but he also provides them with a comprehensive liability Management service as is necessitated by insurance companies.

Van Staden also drew attention to the fact that companies making a small monthly contribution has placed him in the position to be of assistance to the greater community for the past six years and thanked all the supporters.

Hazyview Cabanas responded in saying that “(it) does not and has never seen the need to become a member of an emergency service when these services are rendered to guests who pay for their own medical expenses and ambulance services through medical aid.

“Although we understand that he renders a service to the Hazyview community, which is a great thing to do, Hazyview Cabanas should not pay membership, as most guests have medical aid to cover for emergency services.
“(Especially when we needed him, let’s say, according to him, three times in the last Tewo years.) We also commend him on his ability to serve the community at his own cost and that we appreciate his compassion.

“We cannot base a decision on ‘it keeps his business going and serves as his income’.

“Our sole decision must be made on the fact that the guests’ wellbeing is looked after and that a professional service is rendered to him at all times. After all, that is why emergency personnel do what they do.

“I know that this might sound harsh, but the reality is that there are other services in close proximity to Hazyview that render the same service at no cost to the resort. Paramedics and ambulances get summoned and the guest carries the financial responsibility.”