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I am shocked by a report I have received about a gunman who attacked ambulance crewmen early yesterday morning in Jeppestown in east Johannesburg.

The Fairview ambulance and a response car went to assist a stabbing victim at 4am on Sunday morning.

The crews of both vehicles were held up at gunpoint and their cellphones and wallets were stolen. Furthermore, the window of the response car was smashed to steal drugs.

The gunman also forced them all into the back of the ambulance with the patient.

Paramedics have told me that attacks like this are increasing and are under-reported.

In January this year, three paramedics were held up at gunpoint and robbed while attending to a patient in Yeoville, Johannesburg.

It’s a disturbing trend that criminals even attack medics trying to save the lives of injured people.

Ambulance personnel need enhanced self-defence and other protective measures to combat this threat to their safety.

Issued by DA Gauteng