The SAPS is pleading with community members to stop abusing the 10111 emergency line.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the South African Police Service front liners who are committed to every citizen\u2019s safety as per our core function,\u201d said Capt Pinky Tsinyane, on behalf of the SAPS.<\/p>
\u201cWe are serving an estimated 14.7 million people in Gauteng.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is in this regard that we say all communities, especially children, should be educated about the importance of the 10111 emergency line.\u201d<\/p>
Tsinyane added that 10111 is receiving a high volume of abusive, hoax and prank calls made by both children and adults.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis type of behaviour is making it difficult for the public who need police assistance urgently to get help.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe SAPS condemns such behaviour because it may even cost lives,\u201d Tsinyane said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the public calls the emergency number responsibly lives will be saved, more crimes will be prevented and more suspects will be arrested.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Suspect shot after alleged smash-and-grab victim fights back in Primrose<\/a><\/p>\n One arrested on charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the Gauteng 10111 Command Centre, staff are on duty 24-hours a day.<\/p>\n People should only call the 10111 emergency line when they are in danger (life-threatening situation), witness a crime or see something suspicious or someone possibly committing an offence.<\/p>\n \u201cOur call operators and call dispatchers will ensure that every complaint is registered and dispatched to be attended to.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have also realised there are people who call the emergency line several times a day to report the same incident,\u201d said Tsinyane.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a crime to abuse 10111.<\/p>\n \u201cUse it responsibly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you call the emergency number, try to be calm, speak clearly and slowly for the telephone operator to assist you quickly, give the telephone operator your contact number, full address where the incident is happening and the type of incident and, if possible, provide the description of the nearest landmarks, such as a post office, shops or clinic, especially where there are no proper addresses.<\/p>\n \u201cOur members will attend to all the complaints as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Tsinyane added that when the police follow-up some of the calls made from the same number numerous times, parents inform them their child was playing with the phone.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a responsible citizen, we should not let our children play with the phone by calling 10111 emergency lines.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone should call 10111 to be and feel safe, but let us not abuse it,\u201d Tsinyane said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>