Every second counts in an emergency and could mean the difference between life and death. Currently, there’s no single emergency number in South Africa so it’s very important for you to have the correct contact details handy for a speedy response to your specific emergency.
Before you call:
Always make sure that it’s a real emergency before you call as tying up emergency lines could lead to the prolonged suffering or death of someone else.
When calling an emergency number, make sure that you have the following information ready:
• Specific details about the location (address) of the incident or potential patient. Provide landmarks if you can.
• Specific details of the incident. Speak clearly and calmly to the person taking your call.
• Specific details about the contact person (name and telephone number). Make sure that the telephone line is available until emergency services arrive at the scene.
Depending on the nature of your emergency, you can call the appropriate emergency number below:
Police Flying Squad 10111
Ambulance 10177
City of Cape Town general emergency 107
Cell phone Emergency 112 (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom)
Fire and Rescue Services
• City of Cape Town headquarters Landline: 107
Cell phone: 021 480 7700
• Blaauwberg district Milnerton Fire Station: 021 550 1347/444 7613
Atlantis Fire Station: 021 573 7083
• Northern / Tygerberg district Bellville Fire Station: 021 444 8298/88
• Helderberg district Strand Fire Station: 021 444 0391/4
• Overberg District Municipality 028 425 1690
• West Coast District Municipality 022 433 8700
• Cape Winelands District Municipality 021 887 4446
Disaster Risk Management Centre 080 911 HELP (4357)
Lifeline 021 461 1113
Red Cross Children’s Hospital poison line 021 689 5227
Child Emergency 0800 123 123
Sea Rescue
• Cape Town 021 449 3500
• Saldahna 022 714 1726
Mountain Rescue 021 948 9900
Electricity 0860 103 089
Water (24 hours) 0860 103 054
Safe Schools Call Centre 0800 454 647
Crime Stop 0860 010 111
Bureau of Missing Persons 021 918 3512 / 3449 / 3452
Childline 0800 055 555
021 461 1113
AIDS Helpline 0800 012 322
Animal Welfare 021 534 6426
SASSA Helpline 0800 601 011
Western Cape Government 0860 142 142 (7am-7pm, daily)
Source: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/know-who-you-can-call-emergency