By Zizamele Cebekhulu-Makhaza, President of Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union
The record levels of loadshedding in 2022 and 2023 have resulted in increased risks to public safety and a surge in crime. According to recent crime statistics, there has been a double-digit rise in violent crimes, such as assaults, murders, and robberies, which increased by 11.6% between October and December last year.
This rise in crime has occurred at the same time as increased levels of loadshedding. Power outages make it easier for criminals to gain access to properties and remain undetected, contributing to an increase in robbery and burglary incidents.
Loadshedding also has serious consequences for law enforcement operations. Police stations and courts are often left without electricity or backup power during outages, making it impossible to carry out essential tasks. This can make it difficult for officers to perform their work effectively, hampering their ability to respond to emergencies and carry out investigations.
The surge in crime during loadshedding underscores the urgent need for measures to be put in place to bolster the 10111 call centres. The call centres are massively understaffed, and millions of calls have been dropped every year. As Police Minister Bheki Cele recently revealed, current staffing levels are just 40% of the required need, leading centres to drop over 6.3 million calls over the past three financial years.
In response to these concerns, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced measures to improve the emergency helpline earlier this year. This includes partnering with the private sector to ensure the proper functioning of the helpline.
The partnership with the private sector will hopefully play a significant role towards improving the 10111-emergency helpline’s service delivery The 10111 helpline is a vital tool for people to report emergencies and request assistance from the police. But it is also essential that call centres are staffed adequately and functions efficiently to ensure that citizens receive the help they need when they need it most.
These centres serve as critical communication links between the police and the communities which they serve, allowing households to act as eyes and ears on the ground while providing a vital support line in emergencies. They are therefore an essential part of the fight against crime. Having a well-staffed and well-functioning call centre system is imperative for improving police responsiveness and stopping criminals in their tracks. So, by improving working conditions and the effectiveness of call centres, we can increase police responsiveness to crime, prevent further criminal activity, and ultimately make the country safer.
By having more call centre staff, police can respond to incidents more quickly and effectively, prevent further criminal activity and increase the likelihood of apprehending suspects.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that government is, therefore, a welcome step in the right direction to tackle the problem. I believe these measures will help to prevent further criminal activity, improve police responsiveness to crime, and make South Africa a safer place for its citizens. This said, government must be held accountable for ensuring that its plans and promises come to fruition, and that 10111 helpline centres receive the urgent attention they need after so many years of neglect.