ANA reports that the Eastern Cape health department on Wednesday condemned the latest attack on an ambulance crew in Port Elizabeth.  

Department spokesman, Sizwe Kupelo said the paramedics and a student, who was an intern with the crew, were accosted and robbed of a cellphone by two unknown armed men on Tuesday.  They were attacked while waiting for the traffic light to turn green at the Daku Road and Seyisi Street, in Port Elizabeth.  At the time of the attack, the crew had been traveling from Motherwell with patients.  Fortunately, no one was injured.  Kupelo noted:  “While no physical harm was inflicted on the crew, such uncalled for attacks on emergency medical services members, are continuing unabated.”  Kupelo said ambulance crews were targeted on a weekly basis and the department hoped police would treat such cases with urgency.  Just over a week ago, Nelson Mandela Bay paramedics were attacked and robbed in Joe Slovo.  Members of the crew, one of whom was injured when the driver’s side window of the ambulance was smashed, were treated for their injuries and received counselling for their ordeal.

• Read the original of the above report on page 6 of The Star of 26 September 2019

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page