PLEASE HOLD . . .will soon be a thing of the past when calling emergency services and cops.
The Namola app is finally here and almost 80 000 people are registered users.
The app was launched at the SABC M1 Music Studios in Auckland Park, Joburg yesterday.
Crime activist and Namola chief ambassador Yusuf Abramjee said it will boost the police and EMS response time.
He said: “It’s very simple. You download the app and in case of an emergency, all you have to do is press the emergency button.
“Within seconds the message goes to the national control centre of Namola.
“The controller will then get your alert and see exactly where you are.”
Having your location on will help the app pick up your GPS co-ordinates.
Ambrajee said it won’t be easy for people to make hoax calls because people are registered as users.
According to Abramjee, Namola was initially launched as a pilot “Uber” style project for police in the City of Tshwane, before moving to Gauteng.
“The app was introduced to give victims of crime access to a new way of contacting the police,” said Abramjee.
He said Namola aims to improve efficiency and alleviate pressures placed on the 10111 centres by pre-screening alerts.
Peter Matthaei from Namola said: “This is one of the biggest breakthroughs South Africa has had in the fight against crime for years. The way we call for emergency response has finally entered the 21st century.”
Stephen Podile, director for Gauteng Community Safety, said they support the app and encourage South Africans to download it.
Podile said Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, was also sold on the idea.
“She has given an instruction to say we support the app,” said Podile.
He said about 75 of the department’s Vrr Phaas (VW Golf GTIs) have already been fitted with the Namola system to fast track their response time.
The app can be downloaded on the Apple Store and Google Play Store.
