Mangaliso Kabulika
HARARE Mayor, Jacob Mafume, has raised concern at the lack of a dedicated short code for emergency calls in the aftermath of a fire in the central business district on Sunday night.
The fire, whose cause is unknown, broke out in buildings at the corner of Speke and Julius Nyerere Way opposite Joina City.
While the fire brigade was dispatched promptly, Mafume believes that the public’s ability to report emergencies is hindered by the existing lengthy contact numbers.
“We have always maintained that the network service providers should give us a dedicated short code for us to get calls quickly.
“The current numbers are too long and people do not know them.
“There is a need for a service line like 911 that has to come from them.
“We have been having these discussions,” said Mafume.
