ONE hour into load-shedding, the 10111 emergency call centre in Empangeni goes offline, effectively cutting residents off from emergency response units.
10111 is synonymous with violence, disaster and rescue and is mostly the first number dialled in the most dire and life threatening situations.
But what happens when you call this number in your hour of need, and no one answers?
Residents who have attempted to contact the 10111 call centre in Empangeni during load shedding, have had to face this reality.
While the call centre’s telephone systems remain on for about an hour, the computers, which are used to log calls, and lights go off immediately.
This makes it virtually impossible to reach anyone on the 10111 number during load shedding, a peak crime period, unless you have a direct contact number for a police officer or the local station.
The main function of the 10111 call centre is to dispatch the Umfolozi Flying Squad, who react immediately to crimes in progress.
However a resident can also report other emergencies, such as fires and road accidents.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Jay Naicker conceded the Empangeni 10111 call centre was experiencing problems with getting a proper back-up system in place.
‘Unfortunately it is a leased building and we have to communicate with the landlord through the Department of Public Works (DPW),’ said Naicker.
‘There are terms and conditions in the lease that we have to abide to.’
A flicker of light
According to Naicker the unit based at the call centre has put measures in place to assist when the system is down.
These measures include a 12-volt battery, two-way radios and cellphones.
‘We wish to inform the public that they should always have the telephone number of their nearest police station on hand, should they not be able to get through to 10111 for any reason,’ said Naicker.
Sources confirmed the obstacles created by the lease agreement, saying the call centre and Umfolozi Flying Squad, based in the same building, had originally been told the building would only be temporary.
Five years on, the units are still housed in the same offices.
‘We hope that our negotiations through the DPW will bear fruit soon, so that we can overcome this hurdle,’ concluded Naicker.
Residents can contact the Empangeni SAPS on 035 9015803/6.
@kcowan23
Read more about Load shedding HERE
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