Durban - KZN Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, said the ex-paramedic who was arrested on Saturday for intimidation and damaging state property, lost his job two years ago and had been expelled from the trade union, Nehawu.
He was speaking outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday where the matter against Sifiso Eric Dlamini was postponed to June 2 for a formal application.
The prosecution opposed bail.
Magistrate Vanitha Armu said: “The court orders at this stage that no photos be taken due to the ID parade that will take place soon.”
The MEC criticised the more than 100 paramedics who attended the hearing, instead of going to work.
“This was a man who (was accused of) damaging an ambulance while it was transporting a patient,” he said.
“How can you say you work for South Africans if you are here supporting someone like this?”
The MEC’s spokesman, Desmond Motha, said last night the arrest came after numerous incidents relating to EMS, including “the stoning of patient transport with 12 patients - including a pregnant woman - on the R102, near Empangeni on Thursday, the partial burning of an ambulance at an EMS base in Newlands West, also on Thursday, and the burning of two ambulances in Uthungulu District three weeks ago”.
Daily News