Durban - Two Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulances were hijacked and later found burnt near Eshowe in Northern KwaZulu-Natal on Monday night. Four paramedics were found unharmed.
The ambulances, each with two paramedics, were responding to emergency calls in the Amatshemhlophe and Vuma areas near Eshowe when they were hijacked.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health would investigate if the hijacking and torching of the vehicles were related to a recent protest by paramedics over a number of issues.
Desmond Motha, spokesman for the department, said they were relieved the paramedics were found safe.
He said the department would take drastic action if the incident had something to do with the illegal strike action. This illegal strike, Motha said, was not supported by any of the labour unions recognised by the department.
He said the department wanted to reiterate that services provided by EMS were an essential service.
Daily News