EMS staff under siege in the Western Cape
An ambulance was stoned during a patient transport, marking another incident in the rising violence against EMS workers.
Image: supplied/Facebook
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness said the latest attack on EMS personnel, where their ambulance was stoned, highlights a serious wave of violence that has resulted in 90 safety-related incidents involving staff in nearly a year, including 23 physical threats and 12 robberies.
Staff said emergency services are under attack.
The department said it condemned the attack, which took place on Sunday, while the ambulance team was travelling along the N2 near Macassar. The team was transporting a patient when their vehicle was stoned near the Shell garage just after 12.30 am. A rock, hurled at them, landed on the bonnet and shattered the windscreen.
“We can confirm that the patient and our staff are safe. However, our EMS staff are traumatised by the senseless incident and required hospital assessment; they have since been discharged,” the department said.
Police spokesperson, Constable Ndakhe Gwala, said Macassar Police registered a case of malicious damage to property and that no one was injured.
Staff who spoke on anonymity with the Cape Argus claimed that they often received poor support following an attack and said it was part of a broader attack on those in uniform.
“Staff are not supported when attacked. The service must continue and it does. Some staff do not return by either resignation or medical termination due to ill health, mainly due to PTSD,” the staff member said.
“It was easier to say that ambulances must go via SAPS stations for escorts. SAPS in Western Cape are challenged with resources, which results in delays before an ambulance gets to a patient. City law enforcement officials are also subjected to attacks, especially in Hanover Park.
“The firefighters are constantly stoned when they are called out to fires. Private EMS services are also attacked. It is clear all emergency services are under threat for their safety when on duty and sometimes on their way to work and from work. Their uniforms are stolen and crimes are committed by criminals wearing those uniforms.”
Emergency services face escalating threats, with 90 safety-related incidents reported in the past year.
Image: supplied
When questioned about the latest statistics surrounding attacks and violence, the department confirmed that over ten cases involved robberies and that 23 staff were physically threatened in nearly a year.
“This incident forms part of a worrying pattern of violence against emergency medical services in the Western Cape,” the department explained.
“Since the start of the reporting period (April 2025) to date, the Department has recorded 90 safety-related incidents involving EMS personnel and vehicles. These include 23 stoning incidents, 23 physical threats, 12 robberies, 9 cases of verbal abuse, 8 cases of thefts, 8 verbal threats, and 7 assaults.
“These figures highlight the ongoing and unacceptable risks faced daily by EMS staff while responding to emergencies.”
MEC for Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, emphasised the importance of protecting healthcare workers and emergency services: “Attacks on healthcare workers and emergency vehicles are completely unacceptable and place lives at risk. Our emergency services exist to help people in their most vulnerable moments.
"When ambulances or healthcare staff are attacked, it delays care not only for the patient in that vehicle but for others in the community who may be waiting for urgent medical assistance.
“We call on communities to stand with us in protecting the people who respond when lives are on the line.
"Our healthcare workers dedicate their lives to serving communities and saving lives. They must never become targets while doing that work.
Macassar community activist Christiaan Stewart called on residents to protect emergency responders.
“The community is angry, and it's giving Macassar a bad name,” he said.
“The community will work with the Community Policing Forum to assist in reporting such incidents.”
The department also confirmed that due to staff being attacked, they continued to receive assistance from law enforcement in areas declared red zones: “The red zone areas change regularly. The declaration of red zones is made only with continuous engagement with law enforcement agencies.
Benedicta van Minnen MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety said the DA called for increased policing resources and stronger intelligence-driven operations, following the latest wave of violence involving mass shootings in areas like Kalksteenfontein, which claimed the lives of three men and left four wounded.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, said that this weekend’s attack was completely unacceptable.
“Emergency services respond when people are injured, sick, or in danger. Attacking an ambulance that is trying to save lives is reckless and puts both medical staff and patients at risk. Sadly, this kind of violence is not isolated,” Cameron said.
“Police officers experience the same thing far too often when responding to incidents, especially in high-risk areas, as we saw again this weekend. Emergency responders should never have to fear being attacked simply for doing their jobs,” he said.