When Duty Calls
Season 4 SABC2 (*192) 22:00 Lifestyle
The South African Police Service needs help fighting crime and they’re getting it from viewers of their actuality show When Duty Calls (2009-current). Originally called Police File, the 30-minute production is hosted by real-life police Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu from The Hawks special investigation team and co-anchor Captain Kgaogelo Chokoe from the Forensics Division. And according to Captain Mulamu, it’s working.
How do you decide on the show’s content? We have a production team who work with dedicated police stations and they compile content that covers as much of the country as we can. You’re not “just” presenters, right? That is correct. We anchor the show but we are given the scripts a day before recording so that we can translate and add vernacular terms where appropriate. We also help with updates to keep it relevant. This isn’t your first presenting job either. No, but I can tell you that TV is polar opposites to radio, where I’ve worked on various stations. Having that experience has helped with the show because we are “more human” and can relate content to the communities in a manner that they accept and understand. What is your preparation routine? We get to studio in our own uniforms – they’re the real deal! [Laughs] Captain Chokoe and I are there an hour before taping and we have a quick run-though and make sure we’re on the same page with whose line is whose and that stuff. You also encourage viewers to report crime in their area. Has it helped? Definitely! Tip-offs from the show have given us a higher success rate with finding criminals and stopping their activities. I must remind our audience: do not try to stop criminals yourself. That is our job and we are here to serve and protect!