By: Natasha Archary

Attacks on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel is back in the spotlight after two paramedics were kidnapped at gunpoint, held captive in a shack, assaulted and robbed in Pretoria (PTA) on Saturday, 22 July.
The two medics, a male and female, were responding to an emergency call in Nellmapius, Pretoria, which turned out to be a hoax call where a man had reportedly collapsed.
When the EMS team arrived at the location, they were allegedly approached by two armed men who forced them to drive to an unknown location.
A shack in the bushes was were the paramedics were restrained, assaulted and robbed off their belongings.
The armed gunmen also made off with the ambulance, but because one of the EMS members activated the panic button before their attackers took the ambulance, the vehicle was located soon after.
Gauteng EMS spokesperson, Tshepo Shawa said all operational vehicles, including ambulances were fitted with tracking devices and cameras, which enables armed response within a few minutes.
Both EMS personnel managed to escape and called for help.
They are said to be suffering from trauma and sustained minor bruises and scrapes.
In December 2022, EMS personnel were protesting against the violent attacks on paramedics, after an increased number of incidents of violence against EMS responders in the province.
At the time MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko identified a number of hotspots or “red zones” in the province, and stated EMS would only enter those areas accompanied by law enforcement.



