THE Gauteng Department of Health has condemned the hijacking of an ambulance and robbery of personnel in Nellmapius, east of Tshwane, on Saturday, 22 July.
According to the Gauteng Health head of communication, Motalatale Modiba, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) crew was hijacked, kidnapped, assaulted and robbed of their personal cellphones and other working tools while responding to what appeared to be a distress call in Nellmapius.
"An emergency call was registered for a 48-year-old man who collapsed of unknown condition. An ambulance was dispatched to the area from the Mamelodi base and on arrival, two men waved to stop the crew and when the emergency responders stopped to engage them, the men pulled out firearms and forced them to drive to an unknown location," he said.
Modiba said the occupants of the address logged a call later to report that they never called for an ambulance. He said the crew members were taken to a shack between bushes, where they were tied up while the assailants drove away in the ambulance.
"The team managed to escape to the nearby Mavuso Squatter Camp where they called for help. They managed to activate the panic button before the assailants took the ambulance. All Gauteng EMS operational vehicles, including ambulances are fitted with camera technology and tracking devices," he said.
Modiba said this enabled the armed response company to be on the scene within a few minutes while the police made their way.
"The ambulance was recovered a few minutes later in Nellmapius area. However, the crew members sustained minor scrapes and bruises and suffered emotional trauma. The criminals also used their cards to withdraw money," he said.
Gauteng police spokeswoman, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the victims were on duty when they received a complaint of an injured person at Strikers Street in Nellmapius.
She said upon arrival at the scene, the ambulance driver saw a vehicle flickering lights and he immediately stopped. He was then approached by suspects, who immediately pointed them with firearms and ordered them to cooperate.
"One of the suspects drove the vehicle until inside the bushes where the suspects took their cellphones and demanded their banking Apps login details. The suspects abandoned them there and the ambulance was later recovered," she said.
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Nevhuhulwi said no injuries were reported. "The police are investigating a case of hijacking and kidnapping. The suspects are unknown at this stage," she said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident two weeks ago, two Dark City community healthcare workers were robbed of their belongings while executing their duties in Ekangala. They were robbed by two assailants driving a grey VW Polo.
Modiba added that the Department of e-Government will roll out phase one of the Gauteng EMS panic button, which is being given to healthcare workers and others who work in vulnerable sectors.
