AMBULANCE DRIVER CAUGHT STEALING FUEL FROM AN AMBULANCE? By: Milton Margai Reports making the rounds on some social media groups allege that an ambulance driver in Sierra Leone (where efforts are underway to contain the deadly Ebola virus) was caught stealing fuel from an ambulance. The Government of Sierra Leone recently purchased over a dozen ambulances in a bid to contain Ebola. The matter has been reported to the police. The report reads: “We’ve just caught an ambulance driver stealing fuel from a government ambulance at Crab Town, Lumley. We’ve reported him to the police with evidence. He is currently being interrogated at the Lumley police division.” (Credit: Fonti and Aruna) POSSIBLE REASONS • Desperation • To sell in the black market (Jebu) • For personal use ( he or a relative might own a car or taxi) • Sabotage Whatever the reason, there is an element of desperation in this ambulance driver’s action. He must be very desperate to steal fuel from an ambulance, especially when the nation is on RED ALERT. Imagine if there was an emergency and the ambulance ran out of fuel on route to the emergency. Someone could end up dying. It begs the pressing questions: Is this driver aware of the cost/consequences of his action? Does he not care at all? Is he that desperate that he’s prepared to risk lives just for a few Leones (Sierra Leonean currency)? Is it just about survival to him? How many more Sierra Leoneans are there who are as ‘desperate’ as this ambulance driver if the allegation proves to be true? Does this not say a lot about the society they live in? That a man can go to such a length in a time of national disaster unwittingly exposes a society that is on the verge of breaking down or broken down. Martina Johnson could not believe it when she read the report. “What! This man is either desperate, wicked or both. For him to do that at a time when the country is feeling the strain of the Ebola epidemic is beyond me” said the shocked Miss Johnson. “Stealing fuel from cars is not uncommon in Sierra Leone. However, this is in a different league. Stealing fuel from an ambulance when we have a national disaster at our hands is tantamount to sabotage or even manslaughter” said Melvin. According to the report, the police are investigating the matter. Tom, a Sierra Leonean living in the UK said they must temper justice with mercy. “Desperation can lead people to do all sorts. This is extreme but we’re not in his shoes to feel what he’s feeling. The bigger picture is society seems to be messed up. The man is crying for help. He’s desperate.” Tom has got a point. Desperation can lead people to do all sorts. However, the bottom line is the man’s action could have cost lives if he was not caught. The investigation must now endeavour to unearth why an ambulance driver would go to such lengths at such a time. Restorative justice would work better in such cases. Let us face it. How many Sierra Leoneans continue to die on a daily basis because much needed funds are embezzled by politicians and government officials for personal use? Remember the GAVI fund? Remember the Auditor General’s report? It does not justify the ambulance driver’s action but it gives a picture of criminality in society. It is possible that the alleged thief could have done what he did because he thinks the crème of society are doing worse and getting away with it so why not take a chance. Hence, we need good role models in society. What the ambulance driver did is inexcusable but we must be careful not to continue to make scapegoats out of the poor. The law in Sierra Leone seems to apply differently to different people depending on your socio-economic status. If you are rich, affluent and connected you get a slap on the wrist or a small fine (that is if you’re brought to book in the first place). If you are poor, disadvantaged and not connected you might spend months if not years in prison for stealing a litre of fuel or a loaf of bread. One agrees that the law should take its course to serve as a deterrent for others who might be brazen enough to take such chances. Nevertheless, if we are serious about the issues/causes of crime we must not have a system where there are scapegoats and sacred cows. There must be one law for all. A thief is a thief regardless of status. sierraleonematters.co.uk/ambulance-driver-caught-stealing-fuel-from-an-ambulance/
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:19:02 +0000
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