Metro police to escort emergency services to identified hotspots in parts of Joburg
JOBURG – Metro police to escort EMS crews in Alexandra, Cosmo City and Joburg Central after being identified as hotspots for attacks.
Acting head of Public Safety David Tembe, MMC for Economic Development Leah Knott and City of Joburg acting chief of Emergency Management Services (EMS) director Rapulane Monageng held a press briefing in Marshalltown in Joburg Central on 3 July addressing the recent attacks of EMS crews in Cosmo City and greater Joburg.
A recent attack in Cosmo City on 29 June where emergency staff were attacked after they attended an assault case in the area, at that time EMS spokesperson Robert Muludazi said on social media that they would be withdrawing their services in the area until further notice.
A statement released by EMS explained that the ambulance was attacked by rocks thrown by community members who became hostile when their crew was treating and trying to stabilise a patient who was allegedly assaulted by some community members.
MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun later dismissed the alleged ‘shutdown’ of ambulance services to Cosmo City, “There is no ‘shutdown’ of ambulance service to Cosmo City or anywhere in the City. In light of the attack on the ambulance crew at Cosmo City, we are now screening calls coming from these hotspots.”
Happening Now: @CoJPublicSafety Press Conference at IIOC Board Room with MMC @LeahK28 & @CityofJoburgEMS Acting Chief Dir Mr Monageng. We are addressing the attack of #CoJEMS crew & damage of newly acquired Ambulances & our contingency plans for these attacks. pic.twitter.com/HyBxmqnh3V
— AskTheChief01 #BuyaMthetho 🔥 (@David_S_Tembe) July 3, 2019
Knott said during the media briefing, “We need to ensure that firefighters and EMS crews are safe when executing their duties and fully support the measures put in place by the Metro police. ”
Tembe added that Metro police officers will escort EMS vehicles. “A number of measures will be put in place to protect crew members when on scene. We ensure that our firefighters and EMS crews are fully supported.”
Both Metro police management and EMS met to outline plans to curb the attacks and deal with opportunistic crimes. Knott explained that the attacks are random but, “The Department has identified hotspots areas that require police to escort ambulance and fire engines when responding to calls. Police vehicles will escort these vehicles from 10pm to 6am.”
The hotspot areas identified include Alexandra, Joburg CBD and Cosmo City.
Measures also put in place were panic buttons being installed in City ambulances and crew members being provided with self-defence training.
Related articles:
Joburg EMS withdraws services in Cosmo City until further notice following crew attacks
Joburg City refutes claims of alleged shutdown of service in Cosmo City
