EMS attacks: One crew member shot, another on crutches, says MEC

An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) crew member was struck by a bullet in the Dukathole informal settlement in Germiston on Friday, 7 May. In the wake of the latest in a series of attacks, Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi, called on the public to help put an end to the abuse suffered by personnel.

EMS ATTACKS ARE JEAPORDISING SOCIETY

Two EMS crew members responded to a gunshot incident at Dukathole on Friday night and one was hit by a bullet at the scene. Both members were admitted to a nearby hospital in a stable condition. As of Sunday, 9 May, one member was still hospitalised whole the other will be going for counselling.

The attack slowed down the EMS response time and the resident who was wounded in the shooting incident succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital.

“Unless communities work together with law enforcement agencies to put an end to the attacks on EMS personnel and the vandalism of their equipment people needing emergency medical care might find themselves without assistance as workers will be reluctant to respond to calls,” said Mokgethi.

Mokgethi said earlier in May, a woman EMS worker was left needing crutches after being attacked at gunpoint while on duty and, in a separate incident, community members in Magalies attacked a shift leader and her crew while they were responding to a distress call.

The MEC said an attack on EMS personnel should be seen as an attack on society itself and condemne the attacks. “We therefore condemn in the strongest possible terms the continued attacks on the Green Angels,” said Mokgethi.

“The last thing we want is for EMS workers to start fearing for their lives instead of being concerned about saving as many lives as possible.”

The provincial department of health is encouraging community members to come forward if they have any information relating to the attack incidents by contacting the following emergency numbers: 112 or 10177 or the police at 10111.

EMERGENCY WORKER KILLED EXECUTION STYLE

In an unrelated incident in the Free State in April, the South African Police Service (SAPS) found the body of a 48-year-old man, who was later identified as an EMS member, lying on the R76 Lindley road.

Upon arrival at the scene, on 15 April at 13:15,  police found an EMS response vehicle – a white Subaru Forester – on the side of the road with the headlights on. The man’s body was found behind the vehicle with five bullet wounds to the back of his head. He was not in uniform and the keys were still in the ignition.

“The motive behind the killing is not yet known and no arrest has been made. A case of murder has been registered for further investigation,” said Colonel Thandi Mbambo.