Today, 14 September, The President launched the Presidential Hotline as announced in his State of the Nation address and Presidency Budget vote speech in June this year. President Zuma announced the Hotline number 17737, in Matatiele, Eastern Cape yesterday. Members of the public can also fax the call centre on 086 681 0987.
At 09h00 this morning, President Zuma took a call from a distressed citizen from Mt Frere in the Eastern Cape who complained about ill treatment that she had received at her local magistrates' court. The caller's husband passed away 2006 and she has been trying to access his pension and has experienced problems.
President Zuma also took a call from a gentleman from Ekurhuleni North, Benoni who highlighted his disappointment that his area has been experiencing sewerage leakages for months on end without the municipality resolving the matter. President Zuma recorded the details and handed over to the call centre agents who will then follow up and get a speedy resolution to the complaints.
The Hotline has received 7 261 calls from 9h00 to 12h00 this morning. This equates to about 2 420 an hour or 40 calls a minute. Forty first line support agents have been fielding these calls in 11 official languages logging what they can and routing them to the Public Liaison Offices in the Presidency, National Departments and Provinces.
The average time taken to capture information for a call is ranging from 15 to 20 minutes as citizens are encouraged to provide detailed information to ensure effective investigation and follow up.
We are experiencing high call volumes and are spending the day sorting out various glitches. The Presidency will spend the next few weeks ironing out problems with a view to having a fully functional service by the end of the month.
The Public Liaison contact details are:
Tel: 17737
Fax: 086 681 0987
E-mail: President@po.gov.za
For further enquiries contact:
Mr Vusi Mona
Cell: 076 682 0079
E-mail zingaphi@po.gov.za or zingaphij@mobileemail.vodafonesa.co.za
Issued by: The Presidency
14 September 2009
