Gauteng clarifies status of 41 Johannesburg ambulances amid provincialisation process

The Gauteng Provincial Government has clarified the status of 41 ambulances belonging to the City of Johannesburg amid ongoing efforts to provincialise emergency medical services (EMS) across the province.

The ambulances were purchased in 2019 by the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (COJEMS). The provincial government says it was not involved in their procurement, funding or acquisition.

The province said the process of provincialising ambulance services began in 2009, when the Gauteng Department of Health started taking over EMS functions from municipalities.

According to the provincial government, the process is aimed at ensuring compliance with the Constitution and the National Health Act, which places emergency medical services under provincial government responsibility.

It said provincialisation also ensures that ambulances comply with national requirements relating to vehicle specifications, equipment, staffing and licensing, as set out in the Emergency Medical Services Regulations of 2017.

The government said the objective is to establish a unified and coordinated health system that provides consistent emergency medical care across Gauteng.

Meanwhile, the City of Johannesburg submitted an application in July 2026 for an EMS operating licence covering six stations.

The application is currently being reviewed and is awaiting a final decision by the Gauteng Health Department's Head of Department.

The provincial government said it would engage with Johannesburg EMS over the future of the 41 ambulances, including the possibility of absorbing them into the broader provincialisation process.

It said it remained committed to preventing the mismanagement of public resources and state assets while building an EMS system that is compliant, efficient and capable of responding effectively to the needs of Gauteng residents.