Goodbye 10111? SA plans to switch to single emergency number

South Africa’s public emergency call system could undergo major change.

Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi has proposed unifying the country’s emergency numbers, proposing that numbers 10111 (police), 10177 (medical) and 107 (fire/rescue) be gradually converted into a single emergency number: 112.

If the proposal is accepted, 112 will become the single national emergency contact number for all crises, from crime to medical emergencies.

The proposal, submitted to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), stems from the idea that a simplified emergency number could simplify interventions and reduce call center errors.

Currently, emergency calls are routed through various hotlines, which the government claims has led to confusion, call dropouts and inconsistent responses across regions.

South Africa’s emergency system faces critical challenges such as inefficient dispatch systems and a lack of standard call handling protocols, according to a recent study by the SA Journal of Science. Additionally, only 41% of SAPS emergency call center positions are occupied, highlighting significant gaps in existing infrastructure. Citizen.

For 112 to become South Africa’s only emergency number, Icasa will need to change existing regulations. Currently, the law requires the establishment of 112 special emergency centers so that they can become the country’s single point of contact.

But Malatsi’s department argues that network providers’ own emergency routing systems can handle calls effectively even if they do not have dedicated 112 centres.

This proposal, which is open for public comment until the end of November 2024, has sparked debate about the future of emergency services in South Africa. The hope of many is that a unified emergency number will lead to faster, more reliable assistance during a crisis. South Africans may soon see a simpler, single number at the heart of emergency communications as Icasa reviews public feedback.