Healthcare · Contact details
Ambulance Contact Numbers in South Africa
For an ambulance in South Africa, call 10177 for the national public ambulance service, or dial 112 from a cellphone on any network. In Johannesburg, the ambulance number is 011 375 5911; Cape Town uses 021 480 7700; and Ekurhuleni uses 011 458 0911 for life-threatening emergencies.
Ambulance contact numbers in South Africa at a glance
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| National public ambulance / emergency number (toll-free) | 10177 |
| Cellphone emergency number (all networks) | 112 |
| City of Johannesburg ambulance, fire and JMPD | 011 375 5911 |
| City of Cape Town emergency number (toll-free, Public Emergency Communication Centre) | 021 480 7700 |
| Ekurhuleni life-threatening emergency line (DEMS) | 011 458 0911 |
| ER24 (private) national emergency number | 084 124 |
| Netcare 911 (private) emergency number | 082 911 |
South Africa emergency ambulance numbers: 10177 and 112
The national public ambulance number in South Africa is 10177, which the current sources describe as toll-free. From any cellphone, dial 112 on all networks. These are the main national routes for a life-threatening medical emergency.
The page does not list provincial ambulance numbers because current numbers could not be confirmed on an official page. A working national emergency numbers page on gov.za could also not be found. If you are outside Johannesburg, Cape Town or Ekurhuleni, use 10177 or 112.
Ambulance number Johannesburg
For ambulance, fire and JMPD emergencies in the City of Johannesburg, call 011 375 5911. This is the Johannesburg metro emergency route listed on the page alongside the national 10177 ambulance number and 112 cellphone emergency number.
Cape Town emergency and ambulance number
For an emergency in Cape Town, call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700. The current source describes this as the City of Cape Town’s toll-free emergency number. Cape Town also lists 112 as toll-free.
Ekurhuleni life-threatening emergency number
For a life-threatening emergency in Ekurhuleni, call Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) on 011 458 0911. The Ekurhuleni route is listed alongside the national public ambulance number 10177.
Private ambulance numbers
For a private ambulance service, ER24’s national emergency number is 084 124 and Netcare 911’s emergency number is 082 911. The existing page advises using these routes if you have private cover or prefer a private service.
What to have ready before calling an ambulance
The call taker needs enough information to understand the emergency and where to send help. Before or as you call, have the following details ready:
- Who is calling, and a contact number they can call back on.
- What happened, for example an accident, a collapse or difficulty breathing.
- Where it happened, as precisely as you can.
ER24 asks callers for these same details: who is calling, a contact number, what happened and where it happened. After giving the information, stay on the line and follow the call taker’s instructions.
How to call an ambulance if one route does not connect
Start with 10177 for the national public ambulance service or 112 from a cellphone. If you are in one of the metros covered here, you can also use the relevant local emergency line.
- Johannesburg: 011 375 5911 for ambulance, fire and JMPD.
- Cape Town: 021 480 7700 for the Public Emergency Communication Centre.
- Ekurhuleni: 011 458 0911 for the DEMS life-threatening emergency line.
There is no separate escalation number for emergency calls on the current page. If you cannot get through on one listed route, try another listed emergency route: 112 from a cellphone, 10177, your metro emergency line, or a listed private ambulance service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ambulance number in South Africa?
The national public ambulance number is 10177. From a cellphone, dial 112 on any network.
Is 112 or 10177 the South Africa emergency ambulance number?
Both numbers are listed for emergency use. 10177 is the national public ambulance and emergency number, while 112 is the emergency number to dial from a cellphone on all networks.
What is the ambulance number in Johannesburg?
The City of Johannesburg number for ambulance, fire and JMPD is 011 375 5911. The national 10177 and cellphone 112 routes are also listed.
What is the Ekurhuleni ambulance number?
Ekurhuleni’s life-threatening emergency line is 011 458 0911, run by Disaster and Emergency Management Services. The national 10177 number is listed alongside it.
What is the Cape Town ambulance or emergency number?
The City of Cape Town emergency number is 021 480 7700 for its Public Emergency Communication Centre. The current page also lists 112 as toll-free.
What are the private ambulance numbers?
ER24’s national emergency number is 084 124. Netcare 911’s emergency number is 082 911.
Sources
- City of Ekurhuleni, Know your life-threatening emergency services number: ekurhuleni.gov.za/press-releases/featured-article/know-your-life-threatening-emergency-services-number/, read 2026-09-27
- City of Cape Town, Emergency contact numbers: capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Report/Report-a-crime/Emergency-contact-numbers, read 2026-09-27
- City of Johannesburg, Home page: joburg.org.za/Pages/homepage.aspx, read 2026-09-27
- ER24, Emergency: er24.co.za/en/corporate/emergency.html, read 2026-09-27
- Netcare 911, Contact us: netcare.co.za/netcare-911/contact-us, read 2026-09-27