South Africa’s public emergency call system could be in for a major makeover.

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi proposed consolidating the country’s emergency numbers, suggesting that 10111 (police), 10177 (medical) and 107 (fire/rescue) be phased out in favor of a single emergency number: 112.

If the proposal is approved, 112 would become the single national emergency contact number for all crises, from murder to medical emergencies.

The proposal, submitted to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), stems from the idea that a simplified emergency number could simplify responses and reduce call center errors.

Currently, emergency calls are routed through various phone lines, which the government says leads to confusion, call drops and inconsistent responses in different regions.

According to a recent study by the SA Journal of Science, South Africa’s emergency system faces critical challenges, including ineffective dispatch systems and a lack of standardized call-handling protocols. In addition, only 41% of posts in SAPS emergency call centers are filled, highlighting significant gaps in the current infrastructure, according to a report by citizen.

For 112 to become South Africa’s only emergency number, Icasa would need to amend existing regulations. Currently, the law requires the establishment of 112 specific emergency centers before they can be the country’s sole contact.

However, Malatsi’s department argues that network providers’ own emergency routing systems could handle calls effectively even without dedicated 112 centers.

This proposal, open for public comment until the end of November 2024, has sparked debate about the future of emergency services in South Africa. For many, the hope is that a consolidated emergency number will lead to faster and more reliable assistance during crises. As Icasa analyzes public feedback, South Africans could soon see a single, simpler number at the heart of emergency communications.