I welcome the hefty 12 year prison sentence handed down today to one of the suspects involved in the aggravated robbery of Emergency Medical Staff (EMS) in Khayelitsha.
Key to this sentence is the fact that the court recognised the impact such attacks has on the ability of the Western Cape Government to provide critical services, especially to poor communities.
The court also recognised the direct and negative impact of such opportunistic crimes on the EMS members of staff and the trauma it causes.
The Department of Community Safety played a significant role in facilitating the process required to put such evidence before the court in aggravation of sentence.
This forms part of a comprehensive strategy which is being implemented by the Departments of Health and Community Safety aimed at improving the safety of EMS staff in a sustainable manner.
This confirms that EMS staff are no longer a soft target and that the courts will deal harshly with perpetrators of crimes against EMS staff.
Media enquiries:
Ewald Botha
Spokesperson for MEC Plato
Cell: 079 694 1113
