Two Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) members were abducted, assaulted and robbed after their ambulance was hijacked on Saturday.

The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when an emergency call was registered for a 48-year-old man who had reportedly collapsed in Nellmapius, east of Pretoria.

Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the male and female EMS personnel sustained minor scrapes and bruises as a result of a subsequent assault and robbery.

“An ambulance was dispatched to the area from the Mamelodi base and on arrival in the vicinity of the address two men waved to stop the crew and when the emergency responders stopped to engage them the men pulled out firearms and forced them to drive to an unknown location,” explains Modiba.

Crew members end up at shack in Mamelodi

He says the two crew members were taken to a shack between bushes – where they were tied up – while the assailants drove away with the ambulance.

Modiba adds that the crew, however, managed to activate the panic button before the assailants seized the ambulance, and adds that the duo managed to travel to a nearby squatter camp where they called for help.

“Their personal cellphones and other working tools were taken while responding to what appeared to be a distress call from Nellmapius near Mamelodi township. The criminals also used their cards to withdraw money.”

Modiba says the crew suffered emotional trauma during the incident and they received counselling.

Modiba confirms the reported emergency was non-existent and: “The occupants of the address used to log the call later on reported that they never called for an ambulance.”

Department traces the hijacked ambulance

He explains the local health department managed to track the ambulance as it was still in the Nellmapius area.

He says the vehicle was equipped with cameras and tracking devices.

“This enabled the armed response company to be on the scene within a few minutes while the police made their way. A case has been opened with the Silverton SAPS and the camera footage from the incident has been handed over to the police.”

The Nellmapius incident follows a separate one that happened two weeks ago – also in Gauteng – when two Dark City CHC healthcare workers were robbed of their belongings while executing their duties in the community of Ekangala.

In that incident two assailants who were driving in a grey Volkswagen Polo accosted the workers.

The police are also investigating the case, says Modiba.

Appeals for community assistance

“The GDoH once again appeals to communities to work with law enforcement agencies to report any information that might assist the police to bring perpetrators to book.”

“It is hoped that various measures, such as the installation of tracking and surveillance devices on EMS vehicles, will assist in curbing these disturbing incidents as more perpetrators are brought to book.”

He says the Gauteng Provincial Government through the Department of e-Government was on undertaking rolling out phase one of the Gauteng panic button which is being given to healthcare workers and others who work in vulnerable sectors.

“This will allow for quicker emergency responses in cases of emergencies. The GDoH condemns in the strongest terms the continued targeting of healthcare workers when discharging their duties in communities by criminals who rob them of their belongings,” concludes Modiba.

Police are yet to comment.