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The police have again asked the public to refrain from spreading false news.
- The police have again urged people to stop sharing false news about kidnappings and human trafficking.
- In the latest incident, a fabricated video of a Klerksdorp kidnapping was widely shared on social media.
- Fake voice notes about human trafficking were also shared without verifying their authenticity, police say.
The South African Police Service has again urged members of the public not to share false information about “abductions”.
READ | Stop Sharing Fake News About Human Trafficking And Kidnapping, Cops Urge
According to the police spokesman, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, this followed a video that went viral on social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, about an alleged kidnapping in Klerksdorp, Northwest.
“Preliminary investigations conducted after the district police leadership Dr. Kenneth Kaunda learned of the video showed that no such incident was reported in Klerksdorp,” Mokgwabone said.
“It is also evident that the video was staged to cause fear among the public. At the same time, during the weekend, voice notes containing false and unsubstantiated information were shared on social media platforms about the alleged incidents of kidnapping for the purposes of trafficking in persons. However, it turned out that no cases were reported to the police in either Mmabatho or Mahikeng, where the alleged incidents occurred. “
READ ALSO | People who spread fake news are criminals or just plain stupid – social media experts
Northwest Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Seal Kwena has asked that people verify the legitimacy of crime-related videos and voice memos with police before submitting them.
Last week, Gauteng police also urged the public to stop spreading false news and messages about human trafficking and the abduction of women and children.
Police spokesman Brig. Mathapelo Peters said Gauteng police were deeply concerned by the continued trafficking of fake news and warned the public against the “relentless promotion and distribution of such malicious falsehoods.”
This came after two fake “kidnapping” videos were widely distributed on social media.
Police investigations eventually found these allegations to be false.
