Mfezi Ambulance
Encyclopedia
The Mfezi Ambulance is a Armoured Ambulance used by the South African Military Health Service
. The name Mfezi is a Zulu
word that means snake. The snake is the emblem of the South African Operational medical orderly
who operates and uses these vehicles.
The Mfezi Ambulance replaced the Rinkhals Armoured Ambulance at the end of the Angolan Bush War although it is believed that one Mfezi Ambulance were operationally tested in Angola during the closing stages of the Bush War.-
The Mfezi is a 17 Ton Armoured vehicle capable of withstanding 3 x TM-57 landmines/21 kg TNT under any wheel and two TM-57/14 kg TNT under the hull. The sides protects up to 7.62x51mm caliber NATO Ball.
The Mfezi is operated by two Medical orderlies and has the capacity to hold four patients who are lying down and four who are sitting. The configuration of the inside of the vehicle can be changed as needed according to the situation.
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References
South African Military Health Service
The South African Military Health Service is the branch of the South African National Defence Force responsible for medical facilities and the training and deployment of all medical personnel within the force...
. The name Mfezi is a Zulu
Zulu language
Zulu is the language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers, the vast majority of whom live in South Africa. Zulu is the most widely spoken home language in South Africa as well as being understood by over 50% of the population...
word that means snake. The snake is the emblem of the South African Operational medical orderly
Operational Medical Orderly
The Operational Medical Orderly better known as the Ops Medic is the collective name for the South African Defence Forces Medics. The Ops refers to the Operational area and was used to indicate that the medical orderly were deployed to the Operational area or theatre of operations of the then South...
who operates and uses these vehicles.
The Mfezi Ambulance replaced the Rinkhals Armoured Ambulance at the end of the Angolan Bush War although it is believed that one Mfezi Ambulance were operationally tested in Angola during the closing stages of the Bush War.-
The Mfezi is a 17 Ton Armoured vehicle capable of withstanding 3 x TM-57 landmines/21 kg TNT under any wheel and two TM-57/14 kg TNT under the hull. The sides protects up to 7.62x51mm caliber NATO Ball.
The Mfezi is operated by two Medical orderlies and has the capacity to hold four patients who are lying down and four who are sitting. The configuration of the inside of the vehicle can be changed as needed according to the situation.
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References
- Whittle M 2006 Journal OPS MEDIC -Operational Medical Orderlies During The Border War
- http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=766