A family from Bungeni outside Elim is angry, following a tragic incident where a 78-year-old granny was allegedly hit and killed by an EMS ambulance outside the Bungeni Health Centre last Friday.

Granny Mhlaba Maluleke was trying to cross the road when she was allegedly hit and killed by an on-coming ambulance. She died on the scene. Now the family blames the Emergency Medical Services of the Department of Health and Social Development. They allege that the driver  fled the scene immediately after the incident.

"To our surprise, the driver of the ambulance ran to the health centre and hid inside. Since then, we have not heard anything from the department. They did not even bother to visit the family," said the victim's nephew, Mr Knocks Vuma. He said that the family did not even have enough money to bury his granny.

The spokesperson for the Waterval police, W/O Risimati Masonto, confirmed the incident. He said that the victim was coming from a nearby house when she was hit by "an EMS ambulance that was rushing to attend to an emergency at the health centre." According to Masonto, the granny died on the scene.

He said that the police were investigating a case of culpable homicide, following the incident. "The incident happened at around 19:00. Police investigations are still continuing," said Masonto. Vuma said that the granny would be laid to rest tomorrow (Saturday) at a local cemetery.

When contacted for comment, the EMS manager in the Vhembe District, Mr Mohale, referred our reporter to the provincial spokesperson, Mr Phuti Seloba, who could not be reached at the time of going to press.