The syndicates usually demand cash for protection from shop owners, and fruit and vegetable traders but now, they're casting a wider net and targeting off-duty medics.

While there's been a rise in attacks on EMC crews in certain 'red zones', Mortlock says the attacks do not appear to be related to the extortion syndicates.

"I've heard paramedics operating in the Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Mfuleni area, but mainly those living in Khayelitsha saying that now they have also been approached by criminals... operating from these extortion syndicates.

"These criminals are demanding protection fees from them but not when they are on duty... When they are returning home from work, just doing their normal thing in the areas where they live.

"One paramedic even said he had to cough up about R2,000 last month for this protection of his family and property," said Mortlock.

eNCA