No ambulance for a Diepsloot accident victim

The 18-year-old Paul Maropola was hit by a white Toyota Pajero as he was crossing R511 on 9 June. The accident sent him sprawling to the other side of the road before landing on his left side on the tarmac.

The accident happened in view of DA public relations councillor Refilwe Mathebula who was driving behind the Pajero.

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“I called the ambulance service and drove home to drop some stuff off which was in my car. When I came back I was told some community members carried him to a fire station for help,” said Mathebula.

The councillor then drove to the fire station to fetch Maropola and took him to OR Tambo Clinic in Ext 2, Diepsloot, hoping to get him immediate medical attention. The patient was allegedly only given painkillers at the clinic.

According to Mathebula, the sister on duty, who she identified as Maluleke, logged an ambulance call again, which didn’t arrive.

Maropola was then driven to Helen Joseph Hospital by another community leader as the clinic was about to close.

Mathebula said Maropola was attended to eight hours after the accident.

“He was eventually X-rayed and given painkillers before being discharged on Wednesday,” she said.

Maropola’s mother, Mpho, said it was a sin to be poor in South Africa.

“I wish I could afford medical aid, the poor die in townships waiting for ambulances to arrive,” she said.

Spokesperson for Johannesburg Emergency Services, Robert Mulaudzi, said he would investigate the case using the loggings. Mulaudzi said public ambulance services were mainly for the poor and expressed shock that Maropola was never attended to after calls were made.

“Send me the details and I will follow up the case,” said Mulaudzi.

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