Paramedics protest in Bhisho

Staff fear for lives, due to lack of security

DOZENS of state paramedics protested outside the department of health’s Dukumbane Building in Bhisho yesterday, complaining about what they said was a lack of safety in their line of work.

Off-duty Emergency Medical Staff (EMS) members from different parts of the province demanded to be addressed by superintendent-general Dr Thobile Mbengashe. They also complained of:

● Being owed money for excess hours worked;

● Not having security guards to accompany them when responding to calls;

● Not being cared for by the department; and

● Demanded the ultimatum letter be lifted.

Last month, Mbengashe’s office issued a letter of ultimatum to striking EMS staff, instructing them that as essential service workers, they could not go on strike.

The staff were ordered to go back to work or face disciplinary action.

EMS worker Themba Bangani said their lives were being endangered.

“Initially the police were escorting us but now they are no longer doing that. In fact, in Alice there was an ambulance that was attacked while it was being escorted by police.

“We are attacked while going about our business of attending to calls, and when rocks are being thrown at us, we do not stop to ask those people who they are, we speed off and escape with our lives,” Bangani said.

Mzamane Mgwantashe said a staff member had been hospitalised after their ambulance was pelted with stones.

“After we complained about our safety, management sent a security company that was not even identifiable and the security guards are drinking while at our bases. We do not feel safe,” he said.

The staff members were addressed by health MEC Helen Sauls-August’s chief of staff Nontlantla Xako.

Xako told them that the MEC was aware of their issues and that there was a scheduled meeting with union leaders yesterday afternoon.

By 2pm yesterday, EMS workers, who had arrived in Bhisho before 8am, were still waiting outside the Dukumbane building to be addressed by management.

Provincial health spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said: “We thought they [EMS staff] would wait for the process of the MEC meeting with unions. We have asked them to wait to be addressed after the meeting this afternoon.”

EMS member Siphelo Dom said management had failed to address them, accusing them of a lack of leadership.

“EMS staff members have been stabbed and others robbed of their belongings at gunpoint but nothing has been done,” Dom said. —