North West MEC for Health, Mr Sello Lehari, has strongly condemned the hijacking of a Patient Transport (PPT) vehicle in the Tladistad village near Makapanstad in Moretele on Tuesday evening, 1 September 2026.
The incident occurred at approximately 20:38 while the vehicle was transporting patients. According to preliminary information, the driver had just dropped off an elderly patient who had been discharged from Jubilee Hospital when an armed man approached the vehicle, pointed a firearm at the driver and ordered him to hand over his cellphone and wallet. The driver was subsequently instructed to lie on the ground, while the five patients travelling in the vehicle were robbed of their cellphones and ordered to exit the vehicle. The perpetrators then fled with the Department’s vehicle.
MEC Lehari expressed serious concern that a vehicle providing an essential public health service was targeted, putting the lives and safety of patients and an employee at risk.
“We strongly condemn this senseless and criminal act. A Patient Transport vehicle is not a luxury vehicle; it is a public health resource dedicated to transporting patients, including elderly and vulnerable people, safely to and from healthcare facilities. There is absolutely no justification for hijacking a vehicle that is serving our communities,” said MEC Lehari.
The Department activated its response mechanisms immediately after receiving information about the incident. The vehicle’s tracking system was activated, and its coordinates were shared with the relevant response teams. The vehicle was located at Kalkpunt near Rabosula village, and was recovered at approximately 21:12, less than 40 minutes after the hijacking. The suspects fled the scene.
The recovered vehicle was towed to Jericho South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation. Makapanstad SAPS attended the scene of the hijacking at Tladistad and opened a criminal case.
MEC Lehari commended the Department’s officials, tracking and response teams, SAPS and community structures for their swift response, which resulted in the recovery of the vehicle and ensured that the affected driver and patients received assistance.
“We are relieved that the vehicle was recovered and, most importantly, that there were no reported serious physical injuries to the driver or patients. We commend the officials and law enforcement agencies for their prompt response. However, this incident remains deeply disturbing because no healthcare worker or patient should have to face the trauma and fear of being robbed at gunpoint while accessing or delivering healthcare services,” said Lehari.
The Department also made arrangements for the remaining patients, who were supposed to be transported to Kgomo-Kgomo and Cyferskuil, to reach their homes safely following the incident.
MEC Lehari called on members of the community to work with law enforcement agencies to combat crime and protect public infrastructure and public servants who provide essential services.
“Our healthcare workers and public health resources belong to the people. When these resources are attacked, it is the community that ultimately suffers. We appeal to communities to reject and report criminal activities targeting healthcare workers, patients and Departmental vehicles. We will continue working with SAPS and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of our personnel and the uninterrupted provision of healthcare services,” MEC Lehari concluded.
The Department will continue to cooperate with SAPS as investigations into the incident proceed.
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