‘Murders in progress’: 10111 call allegedly dropped during Du Noon mob attack

Police combed an open field in Du nNon on Sunday afternoon as they investigated the discovery of four burnt bodies near the N7 off-ramp on Malibongwe Drive.

In a shocking twist, new information has revealed that the four victims involved in the mob justice attack in Du Noon on Sunday, August 23, could have been saved.

The charred bodies of four men were later found lying metres apart on an open field near the N7 off-ramp on Malibongwe Drive.

A witness who saw the mob justice attack unfold did their civic duty and dialled 10111 for assistance; however, the operator dropped the call because the witness could not provide an exact location.

Speaking to IOL, Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson and MP Ian Cameron confirmed the member of the public's complaint.

“According to the complainant and the children present, they witnessed people who had been tied up being beaten and pushed towards a fire. There were no police visible at the scene. At exactly 1.30pm, they called 10111 to report what they described as murders in progress,” Cameron explained.

He said the witness described to the operator what they saw and even gave an approximate location using their GPS.

“But the operator repeatedly demanded an exact location. When they explained they were trying to help people whose lives were in immediate danger and later asked for the operator’s details, the call was allegedly terminated. When the family returned later, four charred bodies had reportedly been found. The children have understandably been left traumatised, both by what they witnessed and by the apparent failure of the emergency system,” Cameron said.

He confirmed the call recording has since been reviewed and the handling of the call was found to be unacceptable. Disciplinary action is being taken. However, Cameron said accountability can't end with an acknowledgement that something went wrong.

“Nicholas Gotsell MP and I have visited the 10111 centre several times. We have seen ageing infrastructure, technology that is not always operational and staff working under extremely difficult circumstances. Morale is a serious challenge. That context matters, but it is zero excuse for failing to assist someone reporting an immediate threat to life,” he said.

“Parliament’s review of the 2022/23 financial year recorded a dropped or abandoned call rate of 26.44%, with average response times at some centres ranging from eight to 35 minutes.