In yet another attack on ambulance staff in the Western Cape, two emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners were robbed at gunpoint on Saturday evening while on duty.
The robbery took place at St. John’s Church in Section 35 of the Harare township in Khayelitsha at approximately 8pm. “The two male EMS practitioners were robbed of personal belongings and left severely traumatised. A criminal case was opened with the South African Police Service and the victims of the attack are currently receiving trauma counselling,” EMS Forensic and Pathology spokesperson Robert Daniels told IOL.
Last year, more than 56 attacks on EMS crews were recorded, causing a delay in emergency services. The attacks on EMS staff brought along the concept of “red zones” for emergency services crews.
A red zone, or access-controlled zone, is an area where an ambulance is banned from entering without police assistance. This is usually effective for a 24-hour period after an attack in the specified area.
Picture: Western Cape Government