Ambulance hijacked, stripped for parts

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect(s) who hijacked a Toyota Quantum ambulance in Ga-Nachabeleng village, Strydkraal last Wednesday night.
Provincial Police Communications Head Motlafela Mojapelo on Tuesday afternoon indicated that no arrests had been made yet and that investigations were still proceeding. When confirming the unusual incident last week, he stated that the Police are investigating a case of hijacking and reiterated that investigations were underway and arrests were expected to be made soon.
Upon learning about the criminal deed, Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba reportedly called on community members who might be having information to assist the Police to swiftly apprehend suspect(s) who hijacked the ambulance.
According to information shared by departmental spokesperson Neil Shikwambana, the ambulance was returning to Nchabeleng Emergency Medical Service station after having transported a patient to Jane Furse Hospital. He went on to indicate that the ambulance was found at Ga-Masemola in the early hours of last Thursday but it had already been stripped for parts. The medical crew was also recovered safely but had been robbed of their cell phones.
Ramathuba was quoted to have said: “It is unfathomable how a sane person can target a valuable and sensitive community resource such as an ambulance. Doesn’t anyone care that a community member, a relative or even a parent or sibling can lose their lives due to non-availability of an ambulance because the one available has been hijacked and stripped for parts? What have we become as a society? We are pleading with anyone who might know something to come forward and assist the Police so that the suspects can be arrested.”
The department annually procures 50 ambulances to beef up its fleet but the impact is minimal due to theft and hijacking, Ramathuba explained and added that if it not theft or hijacking of ambulances, it is nurses and guards at clinics who are targeted by criminals which then thwart the department’s effort to render an effective 24-hour service.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za