AMBULANCE STOLEN AT RFM, OVERTURNS IN SA

MANZINI – A stolen ambulance was driven into South Africa last night without stopping as it wailed its siren.

The emergency vehicle, which was donated to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital was, according to sources, stolen on Sunday night at about 7pm. It was said the suspect who stole it found its key in the ignition while it was parked within the transport department of the institution. The sources said the ambulance, registered OSD 314 AH, was one of three emergency vehicles that the RFM Hospital had.

It was gathered that the suspect, upon stealing the ambulance, wailed its siren as it drove off. According to sources, the suspect drove to Ngwenya and the pulse wail signaled traffic that there was an emergency such that even at the Ngwenya Border Gate he did not stop. The sources claimed that the suspect proceeded and crossed the Oshoek Border Gate (South African Side of the border gate) as well.

However, it was gathered that staff at the hospital noticed after some time that the ambulance was missing and raised the alarm with the police.
The sources said as the police were being informed about this, the ambulance was being tracked through the transport management tool (tracker) and it was discovered that it had crossed into South Africa.

Suspect

The sources said communication was then made with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and a high speed chase ensued between the suspect and the SAPS. It was said this resulted in the ambulance overturning at or near Chrissiesmeer, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, which is about 143 kilometres from RFM Hospital. This was confirmed by the Eswatini Nazarene Health Institutions (ENHI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Benjamin Simelane. He said: “One of our ambulances was stolen from our premises last night at about 7pm. The incident was immediately reported to the police and since it was tracked, we were able to spot it in RSA after about an hour.” Simelane said the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) were updated and were quick into action and managed to find the vehicle around Chrissismere, Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. The CEO said the driver was arrested and the vehicle is with the SAPS.”

Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the theft of the motor vehicle. She said the police raised the alarm with their counterparts in South Africa, which resulted in the suspect being arrested. Meanwhile, the theft and subsequent overturning of the ambulance was a setback to the health sector as it has been constantly reported that there was a shortage of emergency vehicles in health facilities.

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