mpumalanga police manhunt executions

Photo: Pexels/Somchai Kongkamsri

COVID-19: Ambulance crew held at gunpoint in Gauteng

Provincial government has warned that if violence against health workers continues, they will have to withdraw their efforts.

mpumalanga police manhunt executions

Photo: Pexels/Somchai Kongkamsri

An ambulance crew was held at gunpoint in Winterveldt, north of Tshwane, on the evening of Sunday 29 March, with Gauteng provincial government condemning the attack on South Africa’s frontline in the war against the spread of coronavirus. 

The crew – consisting of three staff members- was reportedly travelling to provide much needed medical assistance to COVID-19 patients. 

Crew unharmed

They were left unharmed during the altercation, but the incident has raised the ire of provincial government who are concerned about the safety of  it’s health staff from two threats – the coronavirus pandemic and now crime too. 

“Our Gauteng Emergency Medical Services team in an ambulance from ODI base was held up  at gunpoint. Thankfully the team is unharmed,” the department said in a statement.

“Two males approached the open ambulance door while the crew was busy sighting an IV line for the patient. The two produced a gun.”

‘We will withdraw efforts’

Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku said he is extremely concerned about the dangers being posed to medical workers during the lockdown, and warned that if their safety continues to be compromised, their efforts would have to be withdrawn from affected areas.  

“You cannot attack the same people who are there to help you.

“If they [the public] don’t protect our health workers, we will have to withdraw from those areas.”

This is a developing story.