56% of police stations in South Africa do not answer their phones

A nationwide audit of 1,025 police stations found that more than half could not be reached by telephone.

This was revealed by Ian Cameron, National Assembly Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police.

Calling a police station’s telephone line is the main way for people to reach the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The South African government promotes the fact that each police station has its own direct landline numbers.

However, the Democratic Alliance’s audit of police stations across all nine provinces, using officially listed contact numbers, found that this method is unreliable.

A total of 571 stations did not answer, while 454 answered one or both listed numbers. This means that 56% of police stations could not be reached.

Limpopo recorded the lowest reachability rate, with 78 out of 87 police stations failing to answer their phones. Free State recorded the second-lowest rate.

The audit also found that several high-crime priority stations across the country could not be reached.

The findings are consistent with issues identified during the DA’s oversight visit to the 10111 Emergency Communication Centre.

During this oversight visit, officials reported staff shortages, communication challenges, outdated technology and difficulties contacting police stations.

“A police service that cannot consistently be reached by the public cannot effectively fulfil its mandate,” Cameron said.

“The DA will submit the findings of this audit to the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner and call for corrective action to improve public access to police stations.”