The Departmental spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, says the thieves stole cables from cell phone towers, thus affecting the Push-to-Talk Radio System that is used by EMS to communicate during day to day operations and emergencies. 

Mvambi says the land lines of the Albert Nzula Hospital and South African Police Services(SAPS) are the only means of communication until the stolen cables can be replaced.

The EMS had to respond to several accidents that were reported in the province since Friday. The long weekend saw a spate of road crashes, with some resulting in fatalities and injuries ranging from minor to serious.

At least 12 people have been reported dead, and 15 were left injured in these accidents across the province.

In December 2018, a few weeks after the start the festive season, the provincial Department of Transport indicated that 100 people lost their lives in 61 crashes in the province.

OFM News