Du Noon killings: 10111 operator at centre of shocking twist

Police have launched an internal investigation into a 10111 operator who allegedly terminated an emergency call from a motorist who witnessed an attack near Du Noon, where officers later found four burnt bodies.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron revealed the alleged incident in a post this week.

He said a parent travelling with their children witnessed people being tied up, beaten and pushed towards a fire near the Du Noon off-ramp on Sunday, 23 August.

“They phoned 10111 at around 13:30 while it was happening,” Cameron said.

According to Cameron, the witness tried to direct police to the scene using GPS information and nearby landmarks. However, the operator allegedly continued asking for an exact address.

Cameron said the operator eventually terminated the call after the witness asked for their details.

Police probe handling of 10111 call

Senior police management escalated the matter after learning about the complaint.

“The recording has now been reviewed and the handling of the call was found to be unacceptable,” Cameron said.

Police subsequently launched an internal disciplinary investigation.

Cameron cautioned against suggesting that a faster response could have saved the four victims.

“We simply cannot know, and I am not going to tell families something we cannot prove,” he said.

Cameron raises wider concerns

Cameron said the incident exposed concerns that extend beyond the conduct of one operator.

“This is bigger than one operator,” he said.

He pointed to ageing infrastructure, technology problems, staffing pressures and poor morale within the 10111 system.

Cameron and fellow MP Nicholas Gotsell have previously visited 10111 centres to assess the challenges facing the emergency service.

He also cited a 26.44% dropped or abandoned call rate previously recorded in Parliament.

“If someone can order food or request a lift using their live location, surely our national police emergency service should be able to find people being murdered next to a major highway,” Cameron said.

Four murders under investigation

Milnerton police responded to the N7 off-ramp on Malibongwe Drive on Sunday, where officers found four bodies burnt beyond recognition in an open field.

Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said evidence at the scene indicated that the perpetrators had used tyres to set the victims alight.

Detectives from the Serious Violent Crime Unit are investigating four counts of murder.

Police have yet to establish a motive for the killings.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit a tip through the MySAPS App.