Vusumuzi Dube
Faith Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
PLUMTREE Town is operating without a functional ambulance after the town council reported that the only one they used had since broken down, marking a significant blow to the municipality’s emergency services.
In a notice, the town council said due to the unavailability of the ambulance they had since suspended medical emergency services in the town.
“Residents and the general public are advised that the council ambulance is currently out of service. Medical emergency services are suspended until further notice. Kindly liaise with other service providers in case of a medical emergency. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted,” reads the notice.
In an interview with Sunday News, Plumtree Town Acting Secretary, Mr Thembalami Nyoni recommended that residents liaise with other service providers in cases of an emergency, as they fix their ambulance.
The Town Secretary, however, said there was no service interruption as the Government ambulances services were still available.
“The notice was meant to advice our clients to note that the Council vehicle is down, it is undergoing repairs and it will be back in service,” he said.
Mr Nyoni also emphasised that the town is a small community, hence the notice was sent out for transparency purposes.
He further castigated social media messages, which were alleging that the local authority was now crippled after the breakdown of the ambulance.
He said these allegations were baseless and were being circulated by social media influencers to tarnish the council’s image.
“Concerns have been raised particularly among those who heavily rely on the council’s ambulance, however, as council we would like to assure them that repairs are underway, the vehicle will be back in service soon and we are also in the process of procuring a backup ambulance,” said Mr Nyoni.
The secretary noted that vehicles through usage and effluxion of time wear down are susceptible to breakdown, but eventually, services will be restored.
“We will duly update the residents on developments regarding the restoration of services,” he said.
Online Reporter