Senior EMS Official Escapes Khayelitsha Hijacking As Emergency Response Vehicle Recovered Damaged

A senior Emergency Medical Services (EMS) official narrowly escaped injury after being hijacked in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Monday afternoon.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 3pm while the employee was travelling to an EMS base in the area. Although physically unharmed, the staff member has been left traumatised by the ordeal.

The department said: “The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness can confirm that on 22 June, one of our Emergency Medical Services employees was targeted in a hijacking in Khayelitsha.

“This incident occurred around 3pm, when she was heading to the EMS base in the area.

“While our staff member was not physically harmed, she is traumatised and is receiving counselling and support through our employee wellness programme.

“Following the incident, a case was opened with the South African Police Service and we are working closely with SAPS to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.”

EMS Vehicle Hijacked In Khayelitsha Recovered Within Hours

The hijacked EMS double-cab response vehicle was traced and recovered less than two hours after the incident. Authorities located the vehicle shortly after 4pm on the same day.

However, the emergency response vehicle had sustained extensive damage. Officials reported that the dashboard had been torn apart, the canopy was missing and multiple scratches were visible on the vehicle.

The department added: “The vehicle, an EMS double cab response vehicle, was recovered just after 4pm on the same day and was damaged, with the dashboard ripped open, found with scratches and the canopy missing.”

Khayelitsha Hijacking Investigation Continues As Suspects Remain At Large

According to police, the victim was approached by armed suspects as she made her way to the vehicle. She was allegedly forced into the vehicle before the perpetrators drove away.

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala reported: “According to reports, a 56-year-old female victim was walking toward her work vehicle when gunmen approached her, forced her inside and drove off with her.

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“The police were informed by a bystander who witnessed the incident and a search ensued. The victim was found unharmed and the vehicle was also recovered with damages on the interior. The suspects are still at large, investigation is ongoing.”

Law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation and are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.

EMS Staff Safety Under Spotlight Following Recent Incidents

The latest Khayelitsha hijacking comes days after the death of EMS official Lionel Rossi during an incident in Elsies River. Rossi was reportedly pursuing individuals who had allegedly stolen his cellphone in a smash-and-grab attack along Jan van Riebeeck Drive.

The Paarl resident is believed to have suffered a heart attack during the pursuit. Police subsequently opened an inquest docket to determine the exact circumstances surrounding his death.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness revealed that EMS personnel continue to face significant safety risks while on duty. Between April 2025 and 17 March 2026, the department recorded 90 safety-related incidents involving EMS staff and vehicles.

Those incidents included 23 stoning attacks, 12 robberies, seven assaults, 23 physical threats, eight verbal threats and eight theft cases.

Following Rossi’s death, police arrested seven suspects believed to be linked to smash-and-grab crimes in the area. Most of those arrested were minors aged between 13 and 16, but they were released shortly afterwards.