“Stones were directly thrown at the driver and officer’’
Cape Town - Attacks on emergency staff continue with zero abandon in Cape Town’s suburbs.
Gunmen opened fire on an ambulance crew near Elsies River at the weekend, and firefighters were pelted with stones in Macassar last week.
The Western Cape Health and Wellness Department said the attack on the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in Betty Street occurred just after 3pm on Saturday, when the gunmen opened fire on the ambulance as it responded to an emergency call in Avonwood.
EMS spokesperson Megan Davids said: “We cannot report the damage to the vehicle at the moment, but we can confirm that both crew members are thankfully, unharmed but are traumatised by the ordeal.”
Davids said the incident was reported to police for further action, and that staff wellness and support services have been made available to affected personnel.
Davids appealed to communities to ensure the safety of EMS staff so that they could safely carry out their duties.
“Safeguarding EMS staff is a collective duty of the community. While, through our Employee Wellness Programme, a safety and security framework is in place to address potential threats, which includes measures such as SAPS escort protocols in high-risk areas, it’s clear that we cannot do this without community participation.
“When communities actively assist us in improving EMS safety in their respective areas, the EMS can perform their duties effectively and safely in the community, without fear or interference.”
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk directed queries related to the incident to the spokesperson of emergency services for a response.
Avonwood ward councillor Christopher Jordaan said: “This is a very rare occurrence and it was unacceptable to the community at large.”
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said Khayelitsha firefighters were attacked in Macassar last Wednesday.
Following the severe weather and with reports of disasters throughout the City, emergency personnel were working non-stop.
Carelse said that the incident was reported at 4.30pm when personnel responded to a house fire in Gail Arendse Street, Macassar Village.
He said crews from Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Bellville were dispatched to the scene.
“Upon the arrival of the crews from Khayelitsha, members of the community stoned the fire engine.
“Stones were directly thrown at the driver and officer – substantial damages was caused, and the crew had to withdraw from the area,” Carelse said.
The impacted employees received counselling and a chaplain was dispatched to visit them at the Khayelitsha Fire Station.
Safety and security Mayco member JP Smith said that when the City’s specialised vehicles come under attack, services have to be halted.
“If these things are damaged you have to get specialised parts and that can take months. In the meantime, fire engines from surrounding fire stations have to stand in.
“It will have a knock-on effect, and the worst for everybody is that staff are traumatised or injured.
“That is why we ask for people who have information around such actions to call the tipoff line,” Smith said.
Carelse added: “Our firefighters put their lives on the line to save lives and property. I urge our communities to report the perpetrators of these acts of violence. We condemn them in the strongest possible terms.”
Macassar ward councillor Peter Helfrich said that violence perpetrated against those who courageously risk their lives to serve the public is never acceptable.
“I am deeply disappointed by this incident and sincerely hope that those responsible for attacking our dedicated crews will be brought to book,” Helfrich said.
To report emergencies, contact 021 480 7700 or 107 from a landline.
Cape Argus