EMS crew ambushed in Dennilton
DENNILTON
The Limpopo Department of Health has vehemently condemned the outrageous actions committed by certain community members of Ntwane Village in Dennilton, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM), who attacked and stoned the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicle, injuring one personnel in the process.
The shocking incident occurred on Wednesday 1 January 2025, when the on-duty EMS personnel were en route to drop off a renal patient in the area. Tragically, on their return to the hospital, they encountered a group of unruly patrons at a tavern along the road who escalated the situation by violently attacking them and opening the doors of the moving vehicle.
The incident was captured in a video that later went viral on social media platforms. The circulating video is showing patrons of a tavern targeting a moving ambulance, forcibly opening its doors, and attempting to steal equipment.
Health Department Spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana, said as a department, they are both appalled and deeply disappointed by this incident.
“We urge all communities to reject such behaviour, and we demand that those responsible face the full force of the law. Our personnel must be able to operate freely and safely while responding to emergencies, so they can effectively assist the community members who rely on Emergency Services,” he said.
The Mayor of EMLM, Cllr David Tladi, has condemned the violent incident, stating that it is a senseless attack.
Simon Makua, EMLM Spokesperson, said the mayor has learnt about the incident on a video circulating online, showing patrons of a tavern targeting a moving ambulance, forcibly opening its doors, and attempting to steal equipment.
“It was reported that the incident happened within our municipal jurisdiction and upon investigations it was confirmed. The incident happened in Dennilton area. If the community members can remember, a similar incident happened around the same area in July wherein police vehicles were attacked and officers were assaulted. The mayor is deeply concerned about the reoccurrence of the acts of vandalism,” said Makua.
Mayor Tladi said they are deeply saddened and ashamed of the actions of young people.
“We wish to notify them that their actions will have dire consequences on their lives now and in the future. We also encourage community members to assist law enforcement with information to enable them to arrest the perpetrators. We hope that the personnel who were on duty are receiving necessary support to recover from the emotional trauma they were subjected to,” Tladi said.
The mayor furthered expresses his outrage, describing the behaviour as “appalling and shocking”, particularly given the community’s ongoing concerns about lack of ambulances in the Moutse area.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and endangers the lives of both EMS personnel and the community they serve. The services provided by EMS are critical, often a matter of life and death. Attacking these services jeopardizes access to emergency care and discourages personnel from working in affected areas, as we already see in other provinces,” he said.
Tladi called on law enforcement to take immediate and decisive action against those responsible for this heinous attack.
“We call upon law enforcement to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to book. We urge the police to investigate this incident thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice. Acts of violence against EMS personnel cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” the mayor said.
Tladi appealed to the community to act responsibly and ensure that EMS personnel can work safely, emphasizing the dire consequences of such attacks on emergency services.
