Who will answer 10111 calls?

Who will answer 10111 calls?

Operators of the South African Police Service's (SAPS) 10111 Emergency Call Centres are on strike.

Police car, generic SAPS image
Anelisa Kubheka

The workers are members of the police union, SAPU.

 

SAPU's General Secretary Oscar Skommere says they are demanding an increase in the current salary level from level 5 to level 7.

 

"The service is going to be disrupted. We don't know for how long. We have been open to the employer for further negotiations until 12.00am [on Tuesday], then we are going forward with the strike," says Skommere.

 

He says call centre operators are employed under the Public Services Act and are thus allowed to strike.

 

Skommere urges the public to direct their frustrations to SAPS Management.

 

"If the employer brings something to the table in line with the demand of the workers, I think the workers are reasonable and will consider it," says Skommere.

 

Meanwhile, SAPS spokesperson Sally de Beer says operational members will be deployed to man the call centres.

 

"There are about 1000 public service personnel in all of the 22 10111 centres throughout the country. We've had time to plan to make sure our services continue," says De Beer.

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