TimesLive reports that the number of cases where paramedics are being targeted by criminals while attending to patients is on the rise in South Africa.  

This is according to Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi.  "There is an escalation of our paramedics being attacked because when I look at other areas and not just Johannesburg‚ there's at least one report of an incident of robbery on a monthly basis‚ whereby paramedics are attacked or robbed [of their belongings]‚" said Mulaudzi.  Joburg EMS has partnered with private security companies working in areas where attacks usually occur to try to protect paramedics.  Yet, Johan Burger of the Institute for Security Studies commented:  "There is not enough evidence to support the conclusion that this is a new trend.  I think this is part and parcel of an overall crime problem in this country.  We have seen cases whereby even the police have been ambushed…"

• Read this report by Neo Goba in full at TimesLive
• See too, Paramedics under siege, at The New Age

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page