Another attack on EMS staff, in Khayelitsha

Another attack on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff has been reported in Cape Town, after an EMS vehicle was hijacked in Khayelitsha on Monday.

The Western Cape SAPS confirmed that Lingelethu West police are investigating the incident that occurred at a shopping mall at around 14:30.

Spokesperson, Constable Ndakhe Gwala, said a police report notes that armed suspects approached a 56-year-old woman and forced the woman into the EMS vehicle before driving off with her inside.

According to the provincial Department of Health and Wellness, the employee was planning to make her way to the EMS base in the area at the time.

Gwala said it’s believed that a bystander informed officers of the incident, which led to a search. The staffer was later found unharmed.

“While our staff member was not physically harmed, she is traumatised and is receiving counselling and support through our employee wellness programme,” read the department’s statement.

Both authorities confirmed that the EMS vehicle that was hijacked was later found, with significant damage.

“An EMS double cab response vehicle was recovered just after 16:00 on the same day and was damaged, with the dashboard ripped open, found with scratches and the canopy missing,” read the department’s statement.

MEC for Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, has urged anyone with information on the incident to report to the police. She further urged communities to stand together against violence on frontline workers.

“These attacks on our healthcare services not only impacts our staff and their wellbeing, but their families and entire communities. Our message is clear: enough is enough. We must work together to ensure that our EMS personnel can carry out their duties safely. Their safety is essential to the wellbeing of every community they serve.”

Gwala confirmed that a case of carjacking and “manstealing” (otherwise known as kidnapping) has been opened.

“The suspects are still at large, investigation is ongoing.”

This incident follows the death of an EMS worker after a smash-and-grab incident in Elsies River last Thursday.