Emergency numbers – Joburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria
The national emergency numbers work in every city. Plus the city lines for Johannesburg and Cape Town, and who to call for fire or an ambulance.
The national numbers work everywhere
Wherever you are in South Africa, call 10177 for an ambulance, 10111 for the police, or 112 from a cellphone. South Africa has no single unified emergency number, so some cities also run their own emergency line that can send fire, ambulance and metro police together.
City emergency lines
- Johannesburg – Emergency Connect, 011 375 5911. A 24-hour line for any life-threatening emergency; it can send the fire brigade, ambulance and paramedics, traffic officers and metro police.
- Cape Town – 107, the City of Cape Town general emergency number from a landline.
- Durban (eThekwini) and Pretoria (Tshwane) – use 10177 for an ambulance, 10111 for police, or 112 from a cellphone.
Fire: there is no single national fire number. Use the city emergency line where there is one, or 112 from a cellphone, and say clearly that it is a fire.
When you call
- Say what happened and whether anyone is not breathing, bleeding heavily or unconscious.
- Give the exact address, suburb and a landmark.
- Give a number they can call back on.
- Stay on the line and follow instructions until they end the call.
Save the numbers now
Common questions
- What is the emergency number in Johannesburg?
- Johannesburg's Emergency Connect line is 011 375 5911. The national numbers 10177 (ambulance), 10111 (police) and 112 (cellphone) also work.
- What is the emergency number in Cape Town?
- The City of Cape Town general emergency number is 107 from a landline. From a cellphone, 112 also works.
- What is the fire brigade number in South Africa?
- There is no single national fire number. Use your city's emergency line, such as 011 375 5911 in Johannesburg or 107 in Cape Town, or 112 from a cellphone.
Sources
- Know who you can call in an emergencyWestern Cape Government
- Emergency Connect 011 375 5911City of Johannesburg
Sources last checked 6 October 2026.