Note to Editors: Please note Tim Brauteseth, MPL sound bite in English
The DA welcomes decisive intervention by National Treasury in addressing systemic failures within the RT46 fleet management contract, allowing a process to restore operational capacity of critical ambulance and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicles in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Treasury’s measures come after sustained exposure by SCOPA, coupled with the DA’s determination to pursue accountability. Without this, the crisis would have continued unchecked, with devastating consequences for healthcare delivery.
To date, pressure on relevant stakeholders has resulted in 70 ambulances being returned to service during the past two months.
As at September 2025, 60% of KZN ambulances and more than 50% of KZN EMS vehicles were out of service, with some retained by dealerships for months. These failures directly undermined emergency response capacity and patient safety.
Issues identified include delayed inspections, poor workmanship, excessive retention of vehicles, price discrepancies and even allegations of collusion and fraud within the RT46 framework. WesBank, as the implementing agent, has acknowledged weaknesses in its processes, including inadequate contract management and oversight.
While the DA notes the progress made to date, as members of SCOPA we will not relent and will convene further hearings with all relevant stakeholders – including WesBank, National Treasury and KZN government departments affected by the fleet management contract. The root causes must be addressed in order to ensure that governance failures are not repeated.
The DA’s goal – as a responsible partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) – is to secure a fleet management system that prioritises service delivery to our province’s people, along with transparency and cost efficiency.
We reiterate our commitment to finding long-term solutions which include advocating for reforms to transversal contracts and strengthening legislative frameworks to prevent similar future crises. Accountability and efficiency must be non-negotiable when it comes to public service.