911 in South Africa – which number to use
If you are searching for 911 in South Africa, here is the local emergency directory, how to choose a route and what to say when the call connects.
Use South Africa's local emergency routes
People familiar with another country's system may search for 911, but emergency numbers are country-specific. In South Africa, use the local ambulance, mobile emergency, police and poison-information routes listed below rather than assuming an overseas number will connect to the right service.
Save the local directory
- 10177Emergency Medical Services
- 10111South African Police Service
- 112Universal Emergency (mobile)
- 0800 029 999SADAG Mental Health Crisis Line
- 0861 554 911Poisons Information Helpline
Save the page or write the numbers where family members, caregivers and children can see them. In an emergency, the exact location is often more useful to the operator than a guess about the diagnosis.
The first words should be your location
- State the street address, landmark, suburb and municipality or province.
- Describe the immediate problem in plain words.
- Say whether the person is conscious, breathing and bleeding.
- Follow instructions and do not hang up until told to do so.
Do not test numbers during a crisis
Common questions
- Is 911 the emergency number in South Africa?
- Do not rely on 911 as the local route. Use the South African emergency directory on this page for ambulance, mobile emergency, police and poison-information help.
- What if I do not know the exact address?
- Give the nearest landmark, road, intersection, building name, gate or visible sign, and keep sharing details as the operator asks.
Sources
- Road to Health book: health-service contacts and child health guidanceNational Department of Health, South Africa
- Basic life support and resuscitation guidelinesResuscitation Council of Southern Africa
- Poisons Information Helpline guidanceTygerberg and Red Cross Poisons Information Centres
Last reviewed 26 August 2026.