At approximately 01h17, a group of unknown men impersonating crime prevention wardens, gained entry to the facility by deceitfully seeking emergency medical assistance.

During the incident, the robbers held security personnel at gunpoint, assaulted an intern doctor and stole personal belongings from both medical staff and security guards.

One of the workers managed to escape the scene unnoticed and called the police. On their arrival at the facility at around 01h45, the robbers had already fled the scene, and a case of armed robbery was opened at Moroka Police Station.

This act of violence jeopardises the safety of healthcare workers and also disrupts the smooth provision of the much-needed primary health care services to the community. The GDoH calls on the community to work with law enforcement agencies to help bring this perpetrators to book.

The Department understand the fears and concerns expressed by staff members in the aftermath of this incident and has put measures in place to strengthen the security protocols at the facility, including the deployment of additional security personnel and the improvement of the surveillance systems. Services at the facility have since resumed after they were temporarily suspended to allow the police to do their work and to engage further with staff.

Ends//

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health