Metro’s emergency personnel under siege
There has been an increase in attacks on emergency services personnel in Ekurhuleni.
In the build-up to the festive season, the metro is urging motorists and communities to co-operate with its Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).
Speaking at the Ekurhuleni Press Club November 24, the spokespersons for the City of Johannesburg and DEMS, Robert Mulaudzi and William Ntladi told the media that both areas are experiencing an increase in attacks on their staff, including damage to emergency vehicles and fire stations.
“After one of the attacks, a member had to discontinue practising as a firefighter because of the injuries she sustained. Other staff members are undergoing medical treatments and emotional counselling,” Ntladi said.
“Several vehicles had to be discontinued because of the damages that occurred during the attacks.”
He added that these attacks are irrational in that they eventually reduce the already strained resources, which are meant to save lives.
Some of the recent incidents of attacks and abuse of emergency personnel and resources in Ekurhuleni:
- Personnel robbed and assaulted in Somalia informal settlement in Vosloorus on October 29.
- An ambulance was stoned in Greenfield, Palm Ridge, on October 30.
- Personnel were assaulted and a fire engine was shot at in the Dukathole informal settlement in Germiston, on July 16.
- Personnel from Boksburg’s Leon Ferreira Fire Station had to dive for cover when shots were fired at them and at the fire engine.
- A fire engine was stoned and the was windscreen damaged during an attack in Angelo informal settlement on December 17 last year.
- A fire engine from Zonkizizwe Fire Station was set alight at Moleleki Ext 2 on September 4 last year.
- Personnel from the Daveyton Fire Station were shot at by a random gunman while working in the station premises on August 28 last year.
- Personnel from Primrose Fire Station sustained injuries and a fire engine was damaged during an attack at the fire station on August 13 last year.
- A paramedic was assaulted on the N3 northbound while attending to an accident scene on November 7 last year.
Ntladi said the situation warrants all in society to use their moral compass and to protect emergency personnel who are providing an essential service to our communities.
