PRANK calls are popular on radio talk shows, but a recent call made by a radio presenter from a Johannesburg community radio station to the Gender Based Violence Command Centre has rubbed the Department of Social Development up the wrong way.

In a media statement released on Thursday, the department voiced their “disappointment” by the hoax call.
In the prank call, the presenter pretended to be a matriculant who was distressed at not seeing her name in the newspaper.

The social worker responding to the call is said to have advised the “student” to contact the number provided by the Department of Basic Education.
The Government has stressed that the department and schools are the only credible sources for results.
In the press statement, the department went on to voice their appreciation for the value which the media plays in society but said that “abuse and mocking of what is a much needed resource cannot be acceptable”.

Spokesperson for the department Lumka Oliphant said no charges had been laid against the radio presenter adding that they had contacted the community radio station about the incident.

In the statement the department says that the line has received an unprecedented number of calls since midnight from anxious students and parents. Contact details for the Gender Based Violence Command Centre are 0800 428 428 or dial *120*7867#