Two Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) members were abducted, assaulted and robbed after their ambulance was hijacked on July 22, 2023.

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 man and woman sustained minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the 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,” said Modiba.

Crew members end up at shack in Mamelodi

He said 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 said the crew however managed to activate the panic button before the assailants seized the ambulance.

He said the duo managed to travel to a nearby squatter camp where they called for help.

“Their personal cell phones 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 said the crew suffered emotional trauma during the incident which had led to them undergoing counselling.

Modiba further clarified that the reported emergency was in fact non-existent.

“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 said the Gauteng department managed to track the ambulance as it was still in the Nellmapius area.

He said the vehicle was equipped with camera technology 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 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 VW Polo vehicle accosted the workers.

The police are also investigating the case, says Modiba.

Gauteng Department of Health 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 said 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,” said Modiba.

Police are yet to comment.

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