LIMPOPO – A 41-year-old man is expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 October following the assault of a paramedic.
During the incident, which happened at the Baobab Toll Plaza on the N1 outside Musina, yesterday at about 06:30, the accused allegedly sprayed pepper spray into the eyes of the 41-year-old victim. “The accused was traced and arrested this morning on charges of assault and crimen injuria and warned to appear in court,” reads a statement issued by Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.
According the statement the paramedic was on duty, transporting patients to Tshilidini Hospital when the incident occurred. “It is alleged the victim had stopped along the road due to traffic congestion. He then attempted to warn the driver of a vehicle that was behind him to not overtake as there was an oncoming vehicle. The driver reportedly ignored the signals and overtook. A while later, when both vehicles reached a local garage, the driver of the said vehicle insulted the paramedic and left. He again, stopped suddenly in the middle of the road when they approached Baobab tollgate and continued to insult the victim. He then alighted from his vehicle and walked to the ambulance, where an argument ensued.”
Mojapelo added that the accused then allegedly went back to his vehicle and returned with pepper spray and sprayed it into the victim’s eyes, and then left.
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Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba has since condemned the act and says the department is disappointed by the ‘level of disrespect’ shown to medical personnel and and patients. “These kind of barbaric acts does not have any ground in our democratic dispensation. Attacking government officials on duty is equal to attacking the state.”
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Police investigations in the matter still continue.
