Paramedic Papinki Lebelo says that every day, emergency crews pray for their safety.
Lebelo, from Khayelitsha, who also works as a lifeguard, wants to save lives. While this is his passion, he says working as a paramedic is very dangerous.
He says he works in fear as criminals are targeting paramedics for their cellphones, wallets and ambulance equipment.
“These robberies were not happening a decade ago. People used to assist ambulances. I don’t know what has become of our people,” he says.
He says the attacks affect the morale of crews, and some of his colleagues are on stress leave.
“The attacks are a setback to people who really need the service,” he says.
Responding to the attacks on paramedics, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) manager Pumzile Papu said there had been 32 attacks so far in 2017, compared to 88 last year.
He said that last year, 59 members of his staff took stress leave as a result of the attacks, with 26 doing the same this year.
“The police will continue escorting ambulances at night. However, we need to meet with safety committees looking at the possibility of safe zones in affected areas,” said Papu.
Lebelo, a National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) volunteer, who was off duty and just passing by on his way home to Khayelitsha, swam out 150 metres to save two cousins caught in a rip tide at Monwabisi beach in 2007.
As a result of saving the cousins, he won an award and R15 000.
Lebelo, 44, who has been an ambulance worker for 18 years, says his drive to continue this work comes from being able to help others.
“I am passionate about saving lives, from medical situations to trauma conditions.”
Lebelo became a lifeguard in 1990.
Between November and March each year he works as a lifeguard, then after the summer season he returns to his work as a paramedic.
He has done short courses on mountain rescues, motor crash rescues, structural collapse rescues, and sea rescues above water.
He has a diving licence, a rescue certificate and a boat licence.
Lebelo is also an avid biker. He used the money awarded to him for his lifesaving duties to buy a motorbike.
“I just like the biking life. I’ve learnt about respect and being around all kinds of people,” he says.