Radio listeners and other members of the public had a mostly negative reaction to the response from the police’s 10111 call centre to a SARS official who was allegedly being held hostage in Pretoria.
In the sound clip‚ which emerged on Thurday‚ Vlok Symington informs the operator that he was being detained against his will.
The operator’s first response was to ask Symington who was holding him hostage.
When Symington replied that he was being held hostage by a police brigadier and some other people‚ the operator seemed astounded with the answer‚ telling Symington: “They held you hostage but you managed to phone the police in front of them?”
The operator also seemed incredulous when Symington said he was being held in the SARS offices.
Most responses on Twitter showed similar incredulity at the exchange.
One user said it was better to call a radio station of a friend.
Mbali Gazide on TwitterWestern Cape Premier Helen Zille had this to say.
Helen Zille on TwitterAnother user opined that one would not want to deal with this operator in an emergency.
Michael Cardo on TwitterHowever‚ one Twitter user was not happy with Symington’s expectations of what police should do.
AkanyangM on Twitter
- TMG Digital
Shock at handling of 10111 call from SARS ‘hostage’
Radio listeners and other members of the public had a mostly negative reaction to the response from the police’s 10111 call centre to a SARS official who was allegedly being held hostage in Pretoria.
In the sound clip‚ which emerged on Thurday‚ Vlok Symington informs the operator that he was being detained against his will.
The operator’s first response was to ask Symington who was holding him hostage.
When Symington replied that he was being held hostage by a police brigadier and some other people‚ the operator seemed astounded with the answer‚ telling Symington: “They held you hostage but you managed to phone the police in front of them?”
The operator also seemed incredulous when Symington said he was being held in the SARS offices.
Most responses on Twitter showed similar incredulity at the exchange.
One user said it was better to call a radio station of a friend.
Mbali Gazide on TwitterWestern Cape Premier Helen Zille had this to say.
Helen Zille on TwitterAnother user opined that one would not want to deal with this operator in an emergency.
Michael Cardo on TwitterHowever‚ one Twitter user was not happy with Symington’s expectations of what police should do.
AkanyangM on Twitter- TMG Digital
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