‘Council lies about response times‚’ says DA after man dies waiting for ambulance

17 June 2016 - 11:41 By TMG Digital

The death of Daniel Hoker “highlights once again the very poor ambulance service by Johannesburg council which repeatedly lies about providing a world-class response time”.That’s the criticism of the Democratic Alliance’s Jack Bloom‚ who said he was “outraged that a slow response by a Johannesburg emergency ambulance has reportedly led to the death of the Klipspruit West resident”.Hoker‚ 62‚ was reported to have “deteriorated following a three-day power failure that cut off his oxygen machine”.“According to his family‚ an ambulance was called at 9am on Wednesday this week but only arrived at 1.30pm when he had already died after being driven to hospital in the van of a family friend‚” said Bloom.IOL‚ however‚ quoted City of Joburg Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi as saying a call was placed just before Daniel died.But Bloom maintained his attack on the city’s “claims that more than 80% of Priority 1 calls are responded to within 15 minutes”.“I have challenged this claim in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature as I receive many complaints about slow ambulance response times‚” he said.“Instead of fixing the poor service‚ the council lies about its response times.“The Gauteng Health Department should step in and ensure that a decent ambulance service is provided to Johannesburg residents.”..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.