The Gauteng Department of e-Government is urging residents across the province, particularly in township and underserved communities, to download and use the Gauteng e-Panic Button to connect directly with emergency services during life-threatening crises.
Designed to improve access during criminal incidents, medical emergencies, gender-based violence, and fires, the public safety platform has recorded significant traction across the province. To date, the initiative reports:
- 288,307 active users
- 114,414 emergency call-outs dispatched
- 27,929 citizens directly assisted
- 12,051 lives saved
- 59,394 crimes reported
- 15 minutes and 57 seconds average emergency response time
Addressing safety concerns following a recent cyber incident involving the platform’s environment, e-Government Research and Development MEC, Mr. Bonginkosi Dhlamini, reassured the public that citizen data remains secure. Technical teams swiftly identified and resolved the vulnerability, confirming that no personal information was compromised.
“The security of our systems and the protection of residents’ personal information are non-negotiable,” said MEC Dhlamini. “Cybersecurity is not a once-off exercise. It requires continuous testing, monitoring, strengthening, and improvement.”
The Provincial Government emphasizes that public trust is essential for digital safety tools, noting that ongoing testing and verification are being conducted to ensure system resilience.
Residents who have not yet installed the Gauteng e-Panic Button are encouraged to download the app and familiarize themselves with its functions before an emergency occurs.