Gauteng health identifies ‘hotzones’ as EMS come under attack

As the country heads into the festive period and the new year, the Gauteng Department of Health has raised concerns about the continuous attacks and robberies of health officials in the province while in the line of duty.

This comes after members of the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from Odi District Hospital in Tshwane as well as patients were robbed of their belongings including medical equipment.

EMS attacked and robbed

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has labelled the incidents as totally unacceptable.

“In one incident, two EMS personnel were robbed at gunpoint while responding to a case of difficulty in breathing at Lebanon in Winterveld just after midnight on Friday.

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“The crew was robbed of cellphones and personal belongings including an electrocardiogram (ECG) and patient monitor equipment,” she said in a statement.

“In another incident on Saturday, a crew from the same Odi Base was robbed by armed attackers of their cellphones together with that of a patient at the gate of Boekenhout Clinic as they were about to transport the patient, she added.

Video of @SamuelModiba, GDoH Head of Communication on the MEC for Health and Wellness, @NkomoNomantu's call for the cesation on the attacks of health officials. pic.twitter.com/ejJHw6t5nB

— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) December 18, 2022

Nkomo-Ralehoko has urged the community to protect emergency services during response.

 “We plead with the community members to come forward with information that can assist both the Department and law enforcement agencies to apprehend perpetrators of these evil acts.”

“Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, and our crews are currently undergoing trauma counselling to help them deal with the ordeal,” she said.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the two incidents were reported at Mabopane police station.

Hotzones

The Gauteng Health Department said the latest attacks bring to 14 the number of incidents to date, in 2022 alone.

“In the meantime, a number of areas in the province have been declared hotspots or red zone as they are deemed unsafe for emergency personnel.”

“EMS crews will only enter those areas accompanied by law enforcement agencies or by security personnel,” the department said.

Here are the areas identified as “Hotzones”

Tshwane

• Itireleng Informal Settlement (Laudium)
• Jukelyn (Soshanguve)
• Eesterust (Mamelodi)
• New Eersterust
• Winterveldt
• Joe Slovo (Lebanon)
• Bokenhout
• Oliven (Itireleng)
• Mshongoville (Atteridgeville)

Ekurhuleni

• Angelo Informal Settlement – Germiston
• Reiger Park

West Rand

• Spoko Town

Johannesburg

• Zola
• Braamfisherville
• Snake park Informal Settlements
• Mbuzini informal settlement
• Nomzamo informal settlement
• Dube hostel
• Mzimhlope hostel Hillbrow base
• Mangolongolo informal settlement
• Westberry location
• Hillbrow area
• George Goch hostel
• Denver hostel
• Yeoville
• Kwa Mai Mai area
• Jeppe hostel discoverers
• Westbury
• Mathole informal settlement
• Riverlea
• Slovo informal settlement
• Princess informal settlement
• Mhlangeni informal settlement
• Zamimpilo informal settlement
• Durban Deep
• Pikoko (Rumsig) informal settlement
• Jerusalem informal settlement
• Alexander

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