“Over the weekend members of the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services from Odi Base and patients were robbed of their belongings including medical equipment,” explained MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko, labelling the incidents as totally unacceptable.

In one incident two EMS personnel were robbed at gunpoint while responding to a case of difficulty in breathing at Lebanon in Winterveld just after midnight on Friday, 16 December 2022. The crew was robbed of cellphones and personal belongings including an electrocardiogram (ECG) and patient monitor equipment.

In another incident on Saturday, 17 December 2022 a crew from the same Odi Base was robbed by armed attackers of their cellphones together with that of a patient at the gate of Boekenhout Clinic as they were about to transport the patient.

“We plead with the community members to come forward with information that can assist both the Department and law enforcement agencies to apprehend perpetrators of these evil acts”, appealed the MEC.

Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, and our crews are currently undergoing trauma counselling to help them deal with the ordeal.

The two incidents were reported at Mabopane police station. The latest attacks bring to 14 the number of incidents to date, in 2022 alone.

In the meantime, a number of areas in the province have been declared hotspots or red zone as they are deemed unsafe for emergency personnel. EMS crews will only enter those areas accompanied by law enforcement agencies or by security personnel. Attached is a list of the hotspots.