KZN Fitness test deaths inquiry continues

The commission probing the deaths of eight people who took part in a four-kilometre run at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg in December continues on Wednesday.
 

On Tuesday, the inquiry in Pietermartizburg heard that the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) fitness test continued into a second day even though people had collapsed.
 

The decision to do so was taken at a meeting of managers from the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) and transport officials, said Molemo Rabelemane of EMRS.
 

After the meeting at 2.30pm on the first day of the fitness test, December 27, EMRS managers told paramedics the test would continue.
 

The meeting was held after the Northdale and Edendale hospitals in Pietermaritzburg indicated they could not accept more patients.
 

"We continued despite the trying circumstances," Rabelemane said.
 

This formed part of a fitness test for RTI job applicants. More than 34,000 people qualified to apply for 90 advertised RTI trainee posts. 
 

Of these, 15,600 attended a fitness test on December 27, and a similar number on December 28.
 

-Sapa