A Lentegeur woman was left lying on a courtroom floor for more than four hours after being knocked over by a man fleeing from the cells.
Mishqah Keraan hurt her back when she fell against the edge of a public gallery bench at Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court on Thursday November 21.
Ms Keraan could not be moved and waited from just before noon until 4.30pm for an ambulance to arrive.
She was in courtroom six in support of Lentegeur West Neighbourhood Watch chairwoman Mymoena Pillay who is facing charges of intimidation and crimen injuria.
Ms Pillaywasinthedock
when the man ran up the stairs from the court cells, into the courtroom and out of the building, knocking down Ms Keraan in the process.
He was arrested in the parking lot across the road from the court building.
Ms Keraan’s husband, Mogamat, said he felt frustrated and that he would report the matter to the authorities.
Deanna Bessick, communications officer for Emergency Medical Services and Forensic Pathology Services, said they received a call at 12.26pm.
On the day, Mitchell’s Plain
and surrounding areas had 11 ambulances responding to emergencies.
“Service delivery was impacted due to the high number of calls received which resulted in the ambulance only able to arrive on scene at 4.32pm.
She said the call was listed as a Priority 2 call – classified as a non-life threatening condition.
“All available ambulances were dispatched to attend to the more urgent and life-threatening calls first,” she said.
For an emergency that needs police response dial 10111.
For an emergency that requires an ambulance dial 10177.
For both of these you must say where you are and why you need the emergency response.
Both numbers can be dialled for free.