The Western Cape Emergency Medical Services is calling on communities to help them change red zones into safer zones so they can continue to save lives without their staff being attacked.
Last week a team of paramedics came under attack at the BP Garage at the Clock Tower centre along Eisleben Road in Mitchells Plain.
A female medic was at the store and was standing in the queue when she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man.
The man, who had an accomplice, also hit the woman in the face.
Her colleague, who had been sitting in the ambulance, noticed what was happening and tried to help her.
But one of the attackers threatened to fetch a gun.
The medics managed to escape in the ambulance but not before the skelms flung a brick at them, breaking the window.
It is for this reason that EMS has joined hands with NEAD, a community development initiative to bring calm to the streets.
JA van Zyl of EMS in Mitchells Plain says they want mense to attend a meeting to discuss the issue.
“One cannot put a monetary value to a mother, father or child’s life. EMS can no longer say enough is enough,” he says.
“We require a commitment from communities to safeguard EMS staff while we remain committed to service delivery.”
The first meeting is on 17 November at 9am at the Freedom Park Hall in Ajax Road, Tafelsig.
For more information, contact Van Zyl on 021 374 2316.