Two government paramedics were attacked on Wednesday evening while responding to an ambulance call-out in Mzamomhle Township in Gonubie.
The attack is believed to be linked to an ongoing strike by ambulance workers that has left most parts of the province unserved by state emergency medical services.
It is alleged that the ambulance was stoned when the paramedics responded to a late-night call from residents in the township.
As the ambulance drove into the township, a stone came flying and shattered one of the ambulance windows, injuring one of the paramedics in the face.
Department of health spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha confirmed the attack and condemned the recent spate of attacks on ambulances in communities.
“We can confirm that one of our personnel was slightly injured on the head when their ambulance window was hit with a rock.
“We are still working with the police to establish who the attackers were. No arrests have been made,” Sicwetsha said.
The Dispatch asked police about the attack, and East London spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said: “No case has been opened.”
An East London paramedic, who did not want to be named, told the Daily Dispatch that paramedics constantly feared for their lives during call-outs to communities.
“We no longer leave the base without the police escorting us because whenever an ambulance is seen driving into a community, it gets stoned.
“About two weeks ago a stone was thrown at a maternity unit ambulance that went through the back window and landed on the stretcher that was inside.
“What would have happened if there was a mother with her newborn inside?”
He said paramedics who were still responding to calls were being threatened and this needed to be resolved with the department of health.
“There are threats that, if issues aren’t resolved, more severe attacks will follow.”
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said police escorted paramedics in the city and other parts of the province.
“We have gone with them to areas like Bluewater, Komga and Macleantown because they fear for their safety,” he said. — nonsindisoq@dispatch.co.za
Paramedics work in fear
Image: File
Two government paramedics were attacked on Wednesday evening while responding to an ambulance call-out in Mzamomhle Township in Gonubie.
The attack is believed to be linked to an ongoing strike by ambulance workers that has left most parts of the province unserved by state emergency medical services.
It is alleged that the ambulance was stoned when the paramedics responded to a late-night call from residents in the township.
As the ambulance drove into the township, a stone came flying and shattered one of the ambulance windows, injuring one of the paramedics in the face.
Department of health spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha confirmed the attack and condemned the recent spate of attacks on ambulances in communities.
“We can confirm that one of our personnel was slightly injured on the head when their ambulance window was hit with a rock.
“We are still working with the police to establish who the attackers were. No arrests have been made,” Sicwetsha said.
The Dispatch asked police about the attack, and East London spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said: “No case has been opened.”
An East London paramedic, who did not want to be named, told the Daily Dispatch that paramedics constantly feared for their lives during call-outs to communities.
“We no longer leave the base without the police escorting us because whenever an ambulance is seen driving into a community, it gets stoned.
“About two weeks ago a stone was thrown at a maternity unit ambulance that went through the back window and landed on the stretcher that was inside.
“What would have happened if there was a mother with her newborn inside?”
He said paramedics who were still responding to calls were being threatened and this needed to be resolved with the department of health.
“There are threats that, if issues aren’t resolved, more severe attacks will follow.”
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said police escorted paramedics in the city and other parts of the province.
“We have gone with them to areas like Bluewater, Komga and Macleantown because they fear for their safety,” he said. — nonsindisoq@dispatch.co.za
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