“The crew from Belhar responded to an emergency call just before 8pm of a truck alight in Delft South. The area was experiencing load-shedding at the time. They met up with their SAPS escort at Hindle Road, but just as they were nearing the incident, the crew came under attack, with a brick hurled at the windscreen,” Smith said.
“They called for additional protection to exit the volatile area. The crew were extremely shaken, and after meeting with a Fire Service chaplain, a decision was made to send them home, which left the Belhar Fire station non-operational for the rest of the night,” he added. “This is type of thuggish behaviour is becoming an all too regular occurrence and has potentially devastating consequences for law-abiding citizens who require emergency services.”
“Not only does it slow down response times as fire crews do not enter volatile areas without a police escort, but given the escalation in attacks – even with an escort – the City might be forced to withdraw this service altogether where unrest is being experienced.”
Picture: Supplied