By Boipelo Modise
The Department of Community Safety, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), hosted a public awareness event at Batho Pele Plaza in Soshanguve on Tuesday, August 12 2025 to promote the use of the e-Panic Button mobile application, a digital tool designed to enhance community safety and improve emergency response times.
The event demonstrated how the app allows users to instantly alert authorities during emergencies. By pressing the e-Panic Button on a smartphone, users can send an alert that shares their GPS location with law enforcement, enabling faster dispatch of assistance. While the e-Panic Button has been available in other parts of the province, officials said today’s rollout aimed to ensure Soshanguve residents were aware of its benefits and knew how to use it.
“In Soshanguve, we sometimes feel forgotten when it comes to fast police response. Knowing that I can send an alert straight from my phone and they’ll know exactly where I am gives me peace of mind,” said Lindiwe Nkosi, a local resident.
SAPS officers and safety officials guided attendees through the app’s registration and activation process, explaining that it can be used for crime incidents, medical emergencies and fires. “The app is amazing, and I tested it to see if it works or not—and it works. Now I’ll be able to sleep peacefully at night,” said Alfred Mmusi, another resident.
The event concluded with the distribution of pamphlets, on-site assistance for app installation, and one-on-one sessions for residents with questions about the technology. Officials said they were encouraged by the strong turnout and positive feedback from the community, and expressed hope that the initiative will lead to faster emergency responses and safer neighbourhoods across the province.
