JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — The Gauteng Health Department has formally addressed the ongoing situation regarding 41 idle ambulances in the City of Johannesburg that have remained unused for six years. Provincial health spokesperson Steve Mabona clarified that the provincial government was not involved in the procurement, funding, or acquisition of the 16 million rand fleet, emphasizing that the vehicles remain under municipal jurisdiction.
The procurement of the vehicles took place in 2019, prior to the final phase of the provincialization of emergency medical services (EMS). According to Mabona, the process of transferring responsibility for emergency services from municipalities to provincial control began in 2013 and was only completed in 2020. Because the City of Johannesburg purchased the ambulances outside of the provincial operating license framework, the municipality is better positioned to answer questions regarding the initial acquisition.
The current delay in deploying the fleet stems from licensing and administrative hurdles on the municipal side. Mabona explained that while the city initially approached the province to seek an operating license, they subsequently requested to reduce the number of stations they intended to operate from 15 to 9. This change required the municipality to resubmit its application, which the Gauteng Health Department is currently considering.
Addressing concerns about public safety, Mabona stated that the department has no factual information suggesting a negative impact on emergency response times due to these specific vehicles being off the road. He noted that these units are reportedly configured more for firefighting and disaster-response functions rather than standard paramedic services, which require strict adherence to the Health Act and its regulations.
The provincial government cannot currently verify the operational condition or equipment status of the 41 vehicles. For the Gauteng Health Department to absorb or deploy them, the ambulances must meet stringent compliance standards. Standard provincial EMS vehicles are equipped with essential life-saving amenities, including incubators for childbirth emergencies, medical refrigerators, oxygen supplies, and necessary consumables.
“Anything that we take should be compliant as per the equipment that must be in there and the functionality thereof,” Mabona stated, adding that the province will thoroughly evaluate the vehicles’ compliance before making any decisions about their operational use.
When questioned about public suggestions to impose a 60-day deadline to either deploy or sell the idle ambulances, Mabona firmly rejected the proposal. He dismissed such deadlines as political maneuvering, stating that the health department will not engage in policy decisions driven by the “silly season” of politics, and will instead focus strictly on regulatory compliance and coordinated emergency care standards.