Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, today welcomed the stiff sentences given to the men who raped two paramedics in Roodepoort two years ago.
Premier Mokonyane said she hoped this would send a stern message to all criminals that the law would not treat them with kid gloves.
"To attack a paramedic who is on duty signals a most serious sickness on the part of such criminals. It's the worst thing to do. Even in conflict situations, warring parties do give safe passage to members of the health fraternity to carry out their duties to treat the injured.
"Paramedics commit themselves to ensure that those of us who need medical attention are attended to, and are sent to the nearest health facility in order to get help," said the Premier.
"Raping a paramedic, harming a nurse or doctor, is a most evil thing to do to a health care worker and that is why a harsh punishment like this one would come as a consolation to health workers who at times have to attend to sick people - even in the middle of the night," she said.
Premier Mokonyane added that health professionals should not fear when they receive duty calls; be it during the day or night.
She was commenting following the sentencing of Richard Tshifhiwa Luruli and Michael Khorombi, who were handed eight life sentences for raping paramedics who had been called to Roodepoort to help a toddler who had suffered serious burn wounds.
The Gauteng Premier also praised the police for their sterling work which culminated in the prosecution and conviction of the two perpetrators.
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