Sir
I have been living in Dundee for many years and am one of those people who stand up for our law enforcement when they are criticised for whatever reason because I feel that they put their lives on the line for us.
I was, however, very perplexed when I called the Dundee SAPS regarding an accident on the Hattingspruit road at the old Drive-In.
I was driving and saw a severely damaged car on the road and was not sure if this had happened moments ago or if it happened earlier. I phoned Dundee SAPS, knowing that the accident probably fell under the Hattingspruit area, but I only had Dundee SAPS phone number on my phone. I asked the very bored sounding female Constable who answered the phone if she could possibly phone Hattingspruit to ascertain whether they were aware of the accident or not, as it looked pretty serious. This constable then told me that I need to get a pen and write the number down for Hattingspruit. I repeated that I am driving thus making it impossible.
I asked her again if she could not make the call to ask if they knew about it. She then told me “I cannot. We don’t have airtime.” I thought I must have misheard her and asked her to repeat what she said. To my amazement (and there was nothing wrong with my hearing) it turns out that Dundee Police need airtime to call another police station to possibly save someone’s life. I naturally replied very shocked and in horror and she proceeded to put the phone down in my ear. I called back. A different lady answered. I knew it was not the same lady but I proceeded as if it was, hoping she would give me the name of the female I had spoken to. All this female did was tell me, “Why do you accuse me of this as I was not the one you spoke to.”
No one seemed to care about the car anymore. I asked her to tell me which other female answered the phone a minute ago and she proceeded with the classic vague answers like “there are too many” or “many people are on duty” and she blatantly refused to tell me and kept protecting her colleague.
I stopped my car in the dark, a woman alone, in the middle of nowhere, to Google a number for Hattingspruit. I found out that they were aware and were attending to the accident. I phoned Dundee again to speak to the officer in command. I explained what had happened under her command and she then asked me: “so what is actually the problem here?”
I told her what the problem was and I told her that I did not think she was a very good commander if this is how the public is served. Also not if they don’t have airtime, I told her I was going to share this with the newspaper and she welcomed me to do so. I am not sure if she wanted me to share it in hopes of getting sponsorship for airtime, but it is worth a shot hey? I share this anonymously as I have lived here for a long time and I know many people employed by Dundee SAPS. Maybe if I share my name and need help one day, heaven forbid, they will again suddenly run out of airtime and won’t be able to help me.
Anonymous
Police response to letter
The management of Dundee SAPS would like to thank all law-abiding citizens who assist in making the police service professional.
The police service can only be professional if those who receive service respect the law and provide constructive criticism.
This member of the public passed and saw an accident on the Dundee/ Hattingspruit road and phoned the station to report the matter. Unfortunately, the matter was already attended too. The police try by all means to deploy trained members in the radio room.
Dundee SAPS management wishes to extend appreciation to those members of the community who attend the ward war rooms and share information with police and other state departments.
