KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has expressed deep outrage over the tragic killing of a nurse during a targeted hijacking in Ndwedwe on Thursday.
She has also expressed concern over a growing trend where ambulances, double-cab and seven seater vehicles are being targeted in hijackings.
The male nurse, accompanied by five other health professionals in a state vehicle, was en route to a training session in Durban when a gunman approached the vehicle, opening fire and forcing them out of the vehicle before making a getaway. The nurse sustained three gunshot wounds and was rushed to Appelsbosch Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In a distressing trend, another health worker fell victim to a similar hijacking in the same Ndwedwe area, following an outreach program last week. Held at gunpoint, the health worker was robbed of personal belongings, including mobile phones, and the state vehicle.
Ms Simelane expressed shock and dismay at the rising incidence of targeted hijackings involving health service state vehicles and the brutal killing of health workers.
“We are shocked and appalled by the alarming rate of the seemingly targeted hijacking of health service state vehicles, as well as the killing of health workers. It is brutal and completely unacceptable,” said Ms Simelane.
The modus operandi appears consistent, with Department of Health vehicles, particularly in Ndwedwe, being the primary targets.
MEC Simelane called on law enforcement to swiftly investigate and apprehend the syndicates responsible, emphasising the dire emotional and psychological consequences of normalising such reprehensible behaviour in society.
Highlighting a concerning demand for double-cabs and ambulances in various parts of the province, Ms Simelane stressed that healthcare vehicle hijackings severely impede service delivery and instil fear among employees. She urged community members to report syndicates involved in these crimes, emphasising the collective responsibility to eradicate criminal elements from society.
“Seemingly, the same modus operandi is being used, in which Department of Health vehicles are being targeted, mainly in the Ndwedwe area. The first vehicle that was hijacked was a Toyota Etios. And during yesterday’s incident, a seven-seater Suzuki Ertiga was taken. It is quite well-known what these types of vehicles are mainly used for. And we are calling on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in investigating these cases, and to uncover the syndicates who are targeting the state vehicles, and make arrests. We should never get to a stage where such reprehensible behaviour is regarded as the norm in our society, because it has dire and far-reaching emotional and psychological consequences. Families are losing bread-winners, and we cannot accept that,” MEC Simelane said.
Ms Simelane announced plans for engagements with MEC for Transport, Community Safety, and Liaison Mr Sipho Hlomuka, KZN Police Commissioners, and the provincial Community Policing Forum leadership to devise strategies to curb the scourge of healthcare vehicle hijackings.