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A swift response by Eastern Cape police in Gqeberha led to the arrest of one of the three suspects who allegedly hijacked a provincial health truck delivering medication at a clinic in NU 8 on Friday morning.
The provincial department said on Sunday that these heinous crimes put unnecessary strain on the department’s already stretched resources. The incident happened a few days after a newly appointed nurse at Madumane Clinic in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality was assaulted and raped before the suspect ran off with some of her belongings.
READ: Gauteng nurse stabbed at a hospital parking lot
According to the Eastern Cape health department, the truck driver had offloaded some of the medication at the clinic when he was approached by four unknown gun-wielding men.
Provincial health spokesperson Yonela Dekeda said the men hijacked the truck after pointing a gun at the driver.
She said:
Dekeda added police were immediately alerted about the situation and the delivery truck was later recovered in the same township, where one suspect was arrested.
Eastern Cape Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth condemned the incident and called on communities to take ownership of government properties and protect health workers against criminals. She said:
She said the incidents may also cause unnecessary delays in the distribution of medication.
“We welcome the arrest and thank the police for their swift action in apprehending one of the suspects,” she said.
