Probe into 10111 call centre bribery

SHOCKING allegations that call takers at the Port Elizabeth 10111 emergency call centre are accepting bribes to delay emergency alerts, and putting lives in mortal danger, are being probed by police.

The investigation was launched after claims that operators were delaying the dispatching of police vehicles to crashes and other emergencies to allow private ambulance medics and tow truck drivers, who pay them off, to get a head start.

Since January, numerous private and state ambulance personnel – and even tow-truck drivers – have lodged complaints with police management.

Numerous senior police officials involved with the call centre have stressed, however, that they were inadequately equipped to deal with the problem as they could not watch over staff all day and night.

Weekend Post has acquired information from three separate and independent sources – tow-truck drivers and medics – all of whom admit to paying call centre staff to delay dispatching police to incidents.

Police management say they view the allegations in an “extremely serious light” and have launched an immediate criminal investigation.