The lives of thousands of patients, passengers and paramedics across the country are being put in danger every day by three-seater Toyota panel vans that have allegedly been illegally converted into ambulances
These allegations are being made by former banker Hennie de Beer, who exposed a similar scandal a few years ago, where converted panel vans were being used as minibus taxis.
The company’s spokesperson said that converting panel vans into ambulances was something done around the world.According to him, vehicles that are designed to carry three passengers on the front seat and a load of goods in the back are not sturdy enough to carry passengers in the back.De Beer claims the floors are thin and no provision has been made for mounting furnishings and equipment.
Last month, two paramedics narrowly escaped death when one of these vehicles overturned between Fraserburg and Williston in the Northern Cape. These businesses are accredited and must obtain further accreditation to modify the particular model of the vehicle involved.The NRCS said it was aware of the allegation, but its approvals for these ambulance conversions had been granted in compliance with the legal requirements.
De Beer claims that Toyota even sold about 30 ambulances to the Northern Cape government, all of which were converted Toyota Quantum panel vans.
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