Pretoria – Two Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) officials were forced to flee for their lives after armed suspects allegedly spiked their ambulance and opened fire on them while they were transporting a patient along the N1 highway in the early hours of Saturday.
The incident happened at about 1:30am on 29 August 2026, shortly after Phumlani Plaza.
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, the officials were transporting a patient from Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital to Jubilee Hospital for a down-referral when their ambulance was reportedly spiked.
The crew stopped to inspect the vehicle, but were confronted by two male suspects who approached the ambulance and fired shots.
The department said the officials immediately took steps to escape the danger, with one seeking safety in a nearby area while the other drove away from the scene.
“The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) condemns in the strongest terms the armed attack on two Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel while performing their duties in the early hours of this morning, Saturday, 29 August,” the department said in its statement.
Patient safely transferred
Following the attack, the Emergency Communication Centre was alerted, prompting Gauteng EMS management, additional EMS crews and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to respond.
Despite the attack, the patient being transported remained unharmed.
“The patient remained stable, was transferred to another ambulance and safely transported to Jubilee Hospital,” the department said.
Both EMS officials were subsequently taken to a medical facility for assessment.
The Gauteng Health Department also activated its Employee Wellness Services to provide emotional and psychological support to the officials as they deal with the trauma of the incident.
“We are deeply concerned that EMS personnel, who work around the clock to save lives and provide essential medical services, continue to face violence while carrying out their duties,” the department said.
Department warns attacks put patients at risk
The department warned that attacks on emergency medical personnel have consequences beyond the immediate danger faced by healthcare workers.
“Furthermore, attacks on EMS personnel do not only endanger healthcare workers, but also delays emergency services and place patients who urgently need medical attention at risk,” it said.
Gauteng Health called on communities and members of the public to protect EMS personnel and cooperate with SAPS and other law enforcement agencies to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
“The Department therefore calls on communities and members of the public to protect EMS personnel and cooperate with SAPS and other law enforcement agencies in bringing those responsible to account,” the statement said.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of its employees and said it would continue working with SAPS and other stakeholders to strengthen measures aimed at protecting frontline healthcare workers.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
