SINCE the beginning of the festive season, Gauteng has seen a total of 16 fatal crashes and 17 other fatalities.
This was revealed by the MEC for Health and Wellness in Gauteng, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
She said from Friday, 22 December until Monday 25 December, the Gauteng EMS received a total of 6 814 calls and part of those calls were accidents, medical traumas and suicides.
The MEC said she felt it was important to speak to the public because they were receiving several calls regarding incidents.
“It’s less than a week but already we are counting huge numbers of calls we are receiving from the residents of the province. Let’s make sure that we protect ourselves, protect our children and our families,” she said.
She said she was concerned about the accidents that were happening on Gauteng roads as well as trauma cases and suicides.
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“On the accidents, we have about 378 cases we've received, on medical it's 3 101 and on trauma it's 1 371 and suicide is 142 cases. This shows there is a high number of people who are involved in trauma cases and in accidents,” she said.
The MEC further said there has been a spike in motor vehicles and pedestrian accidents as well as in assault cases over the festive season.
“We urge people to continue being safe and avoid fighting which results in stabbing and gun shots due to violent behaviour. Let’s make sure that South Africans protect each other, protect ourselves and our families. In our hospitals, accidents and emergency areas are busy as we speak because of the cases of accidents that we receive,” MEC said.
The public has been urged to stay calm when calling for an ambulance. They are urged to dial 10177 or 112, provide their contact details, state the nature of the emergency and provide a landmark or address.
