If you need emergency medical assistance in volatile Durban you might struggle to get help – that is because an emergency ambulance service association has stopped its members from operating.
“Due to the ongoing protests and damage to properties in the province, we have decided to cease operations,” said Booysen, the secretary-general of the KwaZulu-Natal Private Ambulances Association.
In a statement on Monday Booysen added: “We would also like to state that not all (owner) private ambulances in the Kwa-Zulu/Natal belong to our association”.
Some ambulance services may still be operating with the police escorts.
The ongoing #Free Zuma protests that have morphed into violent looting sprees place ambulance staff in danger.
There are unverified reports that an ambulance was lured through a hoax call to an area in Howick, where it was torched.
The ceasing of emergency ambulance services will have a negative effect on clients and owners.
“We would not like to be viewed as being irresponsible and selfish,” said Booysen.
“We have stood down until further notice.”
Police said six people had died in the violent protests. They have arrested more than 200 looting suspects countrywide.
The protests have spread from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
Gauteng Police and the JMPD on Sunday night responded to sporadic incidents of looting of businesses and barricading of roads in Jeppe and Alexandra. They arrested 25 suspects.
