Durban - They were not injured, but shaken up - paramedics were robbed in Umlazi on Sunday while trying to do their work.
Paramedics who went to attend to an assault victim were held at gunpoint in the township’s B section at about 4am. The Emergency Medical Service paramedics were trying to locate the address of a victim who had called for help.
Six men, some armed, confronted the paramedics.
“They were ordered out of the ambulance, forced to lie on the ground and robbed of their cellphones and wallets,” said KwaZulu-Natal Health spokesman Desmond Motha.
A blood pressure testing device was also taken.
“Fortunately, the paramedics were not harmed. However, they were shaken by the incident and were transported to hospital where they were treated and discharged.”
Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker confirmed the incident. He said Umlazi police were investigating.
No arrest had been made.
Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo said he was astonished at the targeting of paramedics.
“I am utterly disgusted by this senseless attack by unscrupulous thugs on our emergency workers. This type of behaviour thwarts our efforts and ability to respond speedily in order to save lives.
“We really cannot afford to have a situation where our staff are unable to discharge their duties freely,” he said.
Dhlomo appealed to the public to protect paramedics.
“These incidents are unacceptable and really need to stop,” said Dhlomo.
In October last year, an EMS ambulance with two paramedics was hijacked while carrying two patients from the KwaMakhutha Clinic.
“While one paramedic managed to flee, his colleague was bundled into the back of the vehicle along with the patients. The vehicle was later found abandoned in a different section of KwaMakhutha,” said Motha. Phones and cash were taken.
The Mercury