ICD to probe swearing 10111 operator

2012-03-19 12:50

Johannesburg - The Independent Complaints Directorate will investigate a complaint about a 10111 operator swearing at Primedia CEO Yusuf Abramjee.

"I can confirm that I have instructed the director of investigations of the national office to investigate. It is the role of the ICD [to] insure proper police conduct," ICD executive director Francois Beukman said on Monday.

"The 10111 is a last lifeline for members of the public... we are taking this very seriously."

The official complaint by Abramjee, who said he was sworn at while making a 10111 call on Sunday, was laid with the ICD and the office of provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros through his spokesperson Brigadier Neville Malila.

Abramjee, the head of Lead SA, said on Monday he called 10111 around 14:30 on Sunday after he suspected four men in a car, in Laudium, near Pretoria, were dealing in drugs.

‘Suspects already gone when cops came’

He said a woman operator answered. He asked her to please send a vehicle. She said she would and hung up without taking any details.

"I called back about three or four times and every time she hung up on me. I called back again and she responded: 'Fuck off'. This was around 14:43."

Abramjee called again and asked to speak to the commander and was told he was on lunch. He was then put through to a supervisor who was very apologetic and immediately took the details.

"But by the time the police came these guys had left."

Beukman said the ICD would await the outcome of the investigation and make the necessary recommendations to the police.

Malila could not immediately be reached for comment.

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- SAPA