The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has refuted claims that one of its employees was raped during an incident where the female paramedic was hijacked.
Two health personnel came under attack last Friday
in Khayelitsha, whilst waiting for a patient in front of Matthew Goniwe Clinic.
The police said a paramedic was with her colleague when a branded patient
transport Toyota Quantum was hijacked in front of the health facility.
‘’Report suggests that the complainant, aged 25, and her colleague, both deployed on a local ambulance, were static at a medical facility in Makhaza on Friday 21 February 2025 at around 3.20pm when seven males hijacked the vehicle and fled. The complainant reported that she was raped and taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The vehicle was recovered in nearby QanduQandu. The suspects are yet to be arrested,’’ said Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, Western Cape police spokesperson, at the time.
Despite Makhaza police investigating cases of carjacking,
kidnapping, and rape, the provincial health department released a statement on
Thursday afternoon, confirming the incident, but denied that the woman was
raped.
‘’ The
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness wishes to correct the unverified
and incorrect information that was issued by the South African Police Service
(SAPS) regarding the hijacking of one of our EMS staff members. This
information was later updated, but it resulted in incorrect media reporting,’’
said Maret Lesch, a spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.
‘’We can confirm that one of our HealthNET vehicles, with an EMS staff member, was hijacked on 21 February 2025. Although our staff member was assaulted when the attackers tried to forcibly take her personal belongings, she was NOT raped and was NOT physically harmed. She managed to escape her attackers and is severely emotionally traumatised. The continued incorrect reporting that she was raped by SAPS and media houses contributed significantly to her traumatic experience and emotional harassment. The Department wishes to correct his matter to not further contribute to her traumatic experience,’’ she added.
Lesch says counselling services have been made
available to her, adding that the Department will continue to provide support
to her.
‘’We strongly condemn this criminal incident,
violence, and unverified reports against one of our essential workers who are dedicated
to saving lives and providing critical care.’’
Done By: Mitchum George
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