Beeld newspaper reported that Jan Faber, 66, died in theatre at the Unitas Hospital, in Centurion --the seventh hospital approached to take him.

His wife San Faber, 62, told the newspaper he had a heart attack at their home in Mountainview around 2am on Tuesday morning.

She called Netcare 911, an ambulance arrived at their home within eight minutes, and paramedics stabilised him.

The paramedics then contacted the Eugene Marais, Akasia, Moot and Bougainville hospitals, only to be told that they were not accepting patients.

Beeld reported that it was thought this was because their intensive care units were full.

Faber was also rejected by the Montana and Wilgers hospitals.

Just after 4am, the ambulance was accepted at Unitas Hospital and Faber was rushed to theatre, but he died just after 7am.

According to the newspaper, Netcare and the Life Hospital group said they were investigating.