ANA reports that the Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of SA (Hospersa) on Tuesday condemned attacks on emergency services workers allegedly perpetuated by tow truck drivers in the Free State.  

“Whether these attacks are physical or verbal, we view it as a very serious interference with the duties of these critical role players in our health care system,” said the union’s Free State secretary André Harmse.  Paramedic Yvonne Peter was assaulted by tow truck drivers while responding to an accident between a train and a motor vehicle in Heidedal, Bloemfontein on Saturday.  Another paramedic, Robert Motoko, suffered injuries on his spine after he was attacked by a tow truck driver while responding to an accident scene earlier this month.  The union’s national general secretary Noel Desfontaines said the attacks had become a national problem.

• Read this report by Getrude Makhafola in full at IOL News
• Read Hospersa’s press statement in this regard at SA Labour News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page