Police to Intensify Healthcare Worker Attack Probes

In response to two recent attacks on healthcare workers in Nellmapius and Saulsville, authorities have established a special team of detectives to investigate the crimes. The incidents involved Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers who were targeted by criminals while responding to distress calls, prompting serious concern.

Also Read: Ensuring Your Alternative Power Solutions Are Fire-Safe

Gauteng SAPS Spokesperson Assures Priority Attention to Cases

Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, assured the public that all cases have been escalated to the provincial office and are receiving top priority attention. He urged anyone with information that could aid the investigation or lead to the apprehension of the suspects to report it to their local SAPS.

Saulsville Incident Details

In the Saulsville incident on July 23, an EMS crew from Kalafong tertiary hospital responded to a call about a diabetic coma patient when criminals confronted them in a white Toyota Avanza. The perpetrators brandished firearms and forced the crew into the Avanza. The crew members were taken to a shack, tied up, and the criminals fled with their personal belongings. Fortunately, the crew managed to free themselves later, and patrolling SAPS officers found the abandoned ambulance.

Nellmapius Incident Details

Similarly, in the Nellmapius incident in the early hours of July 22, another provincial EMS team faced a harrowing ordeal: hijacked, kidnapped, assaulted, and robbed of their personal belongings, including cell phones and work tools. The suspects also took their bank cards to withdraw money.

Department Condemns Attacks on Healthcare Workers

The department vehemently condemned the targeting of healthcare workers discharging their duties in communities and being robbed of their belongings. These incidents follow another robbery that occurred three weeks earlier when two workers from the Dark City community healthcare centre were robbed by suspects in a grey VW Polo while performing their duties in Ekangala.

MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko Welcomes Police Intervention and Enhances Security Measures

Health and wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, expressed gratitude for the police intervention and revealed additional measures to enhance the security of health personnel. Certain areas have been declared hot zones, meaning personnel can only access them with police or security escorts. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised the need to address these attacks swiftly and welcomed the dedicated team formed by SAPS to investigate the cases and bring the culprits to justice.

Community Appeal and Investigating Officer Contact Information

The department called on community members to come forward with any information related to these attacks or other incidents they may be aware of and urged them to contact their nearest authorities.

For those with information about the incidents, Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Eddy Sithole can be reached at 082 775 0369.

Source: Police to intensify healthcare worker attack investigations

Also Read:

Anthony Anderson Celebrates South Africa’s WWC Progress: Video

Follow us on Google News

Photo: Supplied by Rekord