Cape Town - A Cape Town paramedic is expected in court on Monday after he and another suspect, also believed to be an emergency services worker, hijacked their own colleagues at knifepoint.
The 31-year-old Western Cape Emergency Services (EMS) paramedic, stationed in Mitchell’s Plain, handed himself over to police on Saturday.
The medic, who is married to another paramedic, is expected to make his first appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
A second suspect, who also works for EMS, is still being sought by police.
The drama unfolded on Friday at about 11pm when the two suspects approached their colleagues, a paramedic and a driver, with knives while they were treating a patient in front of Khayelitsha Fire Station.
Police spokesperson Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said the driver of the ambulance put up a fight and managed to escape, while the suspects climbed into the vehicle and robbed the paramedic.
“On May 13 at 22:57, two paramedics attended to a patient in the ambulance in front of the Fire Station in Khayelitsha when two suspects armed with knives entered the ambulance,” Rwexana says.
“The driver of the ambulance fought back and managed to escape to get assistance.
“The suspects took the ambulance and drove it to D Block in Site C.
“They robbed the remaining paramedic of her cellphones and left the ambulance, fleeing from the scene.”
Rwexana said the brave paramedic then drove the ambulance back to Khayelitsha Fire Station and immediately reported the incident.
A police investigation revealed the suspects were indeed medical emergency staff.
Rwexana said: “The paramedic from Khayelitsha handed himself over to police on May 14 for a carjacking reported in Khayelitsha. One suspect is yet to be arrested.”
A colleague of the suspect, who asked not to be identified, said they were shocked because the medic was a married man who was very quiet.
The staff member said: “He has 11 years of service, I think, and lives in Khayelitsha. The police are looking for the second person who also works for us.
“We are all shocked.”
Meanwhile, Robert Daniels, of the Provincial Emergency Medical and Forensic Pathology Services said they would release a statement on the matter soon.
“We are aware of the incident and we are investigating the matter and we will be releasing a statement tomorrow [Monday].”
Daily Voice