Police warning on false posts
FRIDAY JUNE 02 2017 THE POLICE have warned against the growing trend of false posts on social media about missing and abducted women and children, saying this caused panic in communities.
Shops belonging to foreigners were looted in deadly violence in KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal this week after false reports spread on social media that children were being kidnapped for the sale of their body parts.
Police management said it noted with concern the increasing number of false posts on social media about missing, kidnapped and abducted girls and women. “Social media is a helpful medium for both the community and the police,” the statement said.
“However, the hoaxes, fake news and the dissemination of false information which we have experienced of late not only sows panic among our communities, but also wastes the police’s time and resources.”
Police cited a social media post on Tuesday which alleged the abduction of a girl in Naledi, Soweto, by persons in a Quantum vehicle (registration number included) which then went viral.
“After an immediate and thorough investigation, the owner of the Quantum was traced and could prove that the vehicle had been parked and immobile over the period of the alleged abduction,” the statement said.
“Hoaxes and false posts, some even maliciously published to exact revenge on an individual, to attract attention or to make a lover jealous, not only divert the police’s stretched resources but can also have far-reaching repercussions.
“An example is the recent violence which erupted in KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday night. The incident began with an allegation on social media of trafficking in human body parts by persons who were identified.
“It escalated into looting and violent protest action during which two persons were shot, one of whom died.
“The police were also fired upon as they attempted to normalise the situation. This is a clear example of how the reckless or malicious use of social media can cause chaos and even the loss of life.” – ANA