Prank emergency calls could cost others’ lives
A high number of prank calls to the police and emergency medical services are being made, resulting in wasted resources and valuable time that could be spent in assisting people who are really in need.
POLOKWANE – A high number of prank calls to the police and emergency medical services are being made, resulting in wasted resources and valuable time that could be spent in assisting people who are really in need.
According to ER24 spokesperson, Pieter Rossouw, over 33 000 prank calls were received by them in Limpopo last year.
He said the calls ranged from reports of non-existent collisions to people being in medical distress in remote locations. He added that in most cases adults were responsible for making these calls.
Polokwane police spokesperson, WO Lesiba Ramoshaba, said they had also received their share of prank calls, which ranged from public violence to car accidents.
“Resources, time and money were wasted on these calls. Besides this waste, these calls steal valuable time in which people who are really in trouble could have been helped. Prank calls have the potential to cause loss of lives, and criminals getting away,” he emphasised.
He urged people not to make prank calls, and warned that people found guilty of doing so could be liable to paying a hefty fine.
Anyone with information on people making prank call can contact the nearest police station or send and SMS to the crime line number 32211.
