Cape Town - The two paramedics accused of hijacking their colleagues, who were busy attending to a patient, were released on R500 bail.
Lulama Patrick Khondlo, 31, and Sithembile Eric Fuma appeared at the Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court on charges of carjacking on Monday.
The pair, both stationed at Mitchells Plain’s Emergency Medical Services, were arrested over the weekend for allegedly robbing their colleagues at knife-point.
According to information, the paramedics were called out to attend to a patient in front of the Khayelitsha Fire Station on Friday night.
While the two paramedics were treating the patient, a red Opel Astra reportedly pulled up next to the ambulance and the two accused got out.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says: “Suddenly the two accused took out knives and demanded cellphones of the two paramedics who were busy attending to a patient.
“There was resistance and a fight ensued.
“One of the two accused men then jumped into the ambulance, still with the patient inside and another paramedic who was attending to the patient, and drove off.
“The other accused got into the red car and followed the ambulance.
“The one accused drove the ambulance for about 200 metres, abandoned it and got into the red car and drove off.”
Ntabazalila says both men were granted R500 bail on Monday and ordered to return to court on August 29 for further investigation.
A colleague of the two men says they feel betrayed because they fear for their lives while responding to calls on the Cape Flats.
“Kondlo was such a good worker, extremely passionate about working on the road, always eager, so hard working,” says the paramedic.
“I’m so shocked, this is a sick thing because we all work together and now our own people rob us, then we blame our messed up community,” says the woman who wished to not be identified.
“I feel betrayed. We all worked with Kondlo and he [allegedly] did this, it’s a crap experience when you see your life flash in front of you, not knowing when you will see your family.”
Daily Voice