We have gathered important contact numbers and emails to help you report problems to your local municipality. If you can't get through or feel your report isn’t being logged, try reaching out to your ward councillor or community groups. Stay patient, be polite and always ask for a reference number.

You can make sure our city services work well. It's important to report issues like potholes, power cuts, water leaks, or fallen trees. Following up and taking more steps if needed can help fix these issues.

Crime reporting and safety concerns you can report

• Traffic management
• Report drug-related or alcohol-related disturbances
• Report suspected bombs or explosives
• Unlawful occupiers
• Overgrown grass and broken streetlights that pose a safety risk
• Community policing forum sign-up
• Community CCTV cameras not working

Contact South African Police Service (SAPS)

• Call: 043 707 0687 (Buffalo City SAPS)
• Email: ec.el.scsec@saps.gov.za

Contact Crime Stop

• Call: 08600 10111
• Email: crimestop@saps.gov.za

Medical emergencies you can report that require an ambulance

• Someone has been in a crash
• Someone can’t get to the hospital by themselves

Contact Emergency Services

• Call: 10177
• Email: info@redalert.co.za

Fire hazards and emergencies you can report

• Fire hazard reporting
• Firefighter or rescue services needed

Contact Buffalo City Fire and Rescue Service

• Call: 043 705 9000
• Twitter: @OfficialBCMM
• Email: fire@buffalocity.gov.za

Animal abuse reporting you can report

• Pets being abused
• Farm animals being abused
• Wild animals being poached or harmed

Contact Buffalo City SPCA

• Call: 043 745 1441
• Twitter: @OfficialBCMM
• Email: info@elspca.org.za

Issues you can report via a community policing forum (CPF)

• Report non-functional or broken streetlights
• Report areas with overgrown grass that pose safety risks
• Report drug-related or alcohol-related disturbances
• Hijackings
• Assaults
• Housebreaking – burglaries and robberies
• Poor service delivery and lack of accountability by the police
• Corruption in the police service
• Safety and security concerns in the community
• Lack of resources or infrastructure affecting policing in the community
• Negative attitudes from community members or police officials

Contact your local police station to find community policing forums information. CFPs are important ways to fight crime, promote respect for human rights and improve relations between the police and the community.

When reporting an issue, make sure you get a reference number, let your neighbourhood group know that you have reported the problem, and share the reference number on the group.

Remember that if the issue is not fixed, you and your neighbours should follow up. The more you follow up, the more likely it is to get fixed.

Reported and still no luck? Click here to see what you can do next.

Source: Buffalo City Municipality

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

How to set up a community group

How to start a WhatsApp group

How to start a residents' association

How to set up a community policing forum

How to set up a neighbourhood watch

How to organise community action

How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how.