Family of slain musician cautions public over pictures
THE social media habit of rushing to circulate visuals and messages about public figures who have just died, before their families were informed, needs to stop.
This message was driven by the aunt of popular musician, Vusi Ma R5, who was fatally shot near the M17 road in Soshanguve in the early hours of Monday.
Family members and relatives said they were stunned by visuals circulating on Monday morning, with social media hashtags about the death of the musician, born Vusi Mosoeu, before they were informed formally.
The Bacardi musician, 35, was reported to have been killed while at popular hangout spot Legentsheng.
Yesterday, the family said they did not appreciate learning about his death from social media.
In video footage taken from his home in Boekenhout, Mabopane, they said they were deeply hurt by the posts and pleaded with the country to stop spreading the news of people’s deaths in this manner.
“South Africa, we are hurting deeply because of social media. We are still at home and we have not arrived at the scene where our child died, but you guys have already published that he should rest in peace. Rest in peace while the family does not even know. You guys have already taken things and published them on social media.
“We are begging you, social media users. Make use of your social media accounts in more appropriate ways. You have hurt us and we are pleading with you to let us be the last ones you hurt in this way. Do not hurt other people out there.”
His aunt, Esther Mnisi, said while people knew who the person lying dead on the ground was, that person had family and relatives who should be the ones announcing his death.
She said: “We are begging you, please respect the families when it comes to those close to them.”
Many people have in the past called on social media users to use it responsibly in such sensitive matters.
Last November, when Pretoria artist DJ Sumbody was shot and killed in Midrand, social media was already flooded with visuals of his body before his family were informed.
The police have also condemned this behaviour, and prevented people from taking images and videos at crime scenes where bodies were visible to the public.