The discovery of seven women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni has left residents worried.

Since news of the deaths emerged, social media platforms and community WhatsApp groups have been flooded with claims about alleged suspects, missing women, kidnappings and supposed links between incidents.

Some of these claims have been presented as fact despite there being no confirmation from the SAPS or other official sources.

SAPS has confirmed that seven cases involving the discovery of women’s bodies are being investigated and that detectives are examining possible links between the cases.

Also read: Seven bodies now linked to wider police investigation

However, Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili stressed on September 14 that police have not confirmed that the cases are linked.

“There are similarities that our investigators are examining,” Mosikili said. “But we will not confirm a linkage until every investigative and forensic process has been completed.”

‘No posts are harmless’

Delta P, the owner of the Share It Live Network, a community information platform and admin for the Kempton Alerts WhatsApp Channel said it has seen a “massive increase” in unverified information and rumours since the cases emerged.

Delta P, who asked that due to the sensitivity of information shared with the Share It Live Network he not be named directly.

According to him, one of the problems is the repeated copying of previous posts, with the narrative then changed to suit the person reposting it.

He said he regularly cross-checks and validates information with people who have knowledge of the subject or incident before deciding whether it can be shared.

“When admins post verbatim (FWD messages), it shows they acknowledge and respect other admins’ work as their intellectual property,” Delta P said.

Also read: WATCH: Police launch investigation after woman’s body found in Kwa-Thema

He warned that some administrators take other people’s work, alter it and create the impression that they were the original source.

“These channels are suspect,” he said.

Delta P said residents who receive information about an alleged crime that they cannot verify should rather send it privately to a trusted person or organisation that may be able to assist with verification, such as a community policing forum (CPF), reputable security company or group administrator.

He said he regularly has to verify and validate information to ensure it is factual.

The platform also warned against assuming that sharing something “just in case” is harmless.

“No posts are harmless. Each post carries intent depending on the poster’s narrative,” he said.

Delta P recommends that residents monitor established community groups and channels, follow up on information circulating on social media and make an informed decision before sharing it.

“Most channels and groups build trust when they post facts over a period and only then do they achieve trusted status,” he said.

“A similarity is not confirmation of a connection, and a rumour is not evidence.”

Also read: Discovery of multiple bodies spark safety fears across Ekurhuleni

Before you share, ask:

1. Who said it?

Is the information from SAPS, the EMPD, a named official, a credible news organisation or someone claiming they “heard from a friend”?

A post being widely circulated does not make its source credible.

2. Where is the evidence?

Does the post provide a police statement, named spokesperson, official announcement or another verifiable source?

If the only source is “someone I know who works for the police”, treat the information as unverified until it can be independently confirmed.

3. Is it actually new?

Old photographs, videos and missing-person posts can be recirculated as though they relate to a current incident.

4. Does another credible source have it?

If an extraordinary claim is circulating everywhere but cannot be found through official SAPS or EMPD channels or credible news organisations, stop before forwarding it.

Cross-checking information against other credible sources is one of the basic ways of verifying breaking news.

5. Does the post tell you to panic?

Words such as “URGENT”, “SHARE NOW”, “THE POLICE ARE HIDING THIS”, “SERIAL KILLER” or “DON’T LET YOUR DAUGHTER OUT” should make you more cautious, not less.

Emotional language is not evidence.

6. Is someone’s identity being revealed?

Do not identify or accuse a person of murder, kidnapping or another crime simply because somebody has posted their name, photograph, vehicle registration or address online.

“An allegation posted on social media does not establish that someone is a suspect,” said Delta P.

Sharing an unverified accusation can also cause serious harm to innocent people and their families.

7. Is the photograph or video actually proof?

A photograph or video can be genuine while still being completely unrelated to the claim accompanying it.

Here are a few Africa Check guides to help.

Also read: Fifth woman found dead in growing string of cases

What we know

• SAPS has confirmed seven cases involving the discovery of women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni since July.
• Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
• Investigators are examining possible similarities and links between the cases.
• SAPS has increased its operational presence in affected areas.
• One suspect has been arrested and positively linked to the first of the five cases.
• A woman reported kidnapped in Kempton Park on Sunday was found and reunited with her family.
• SAPS said 17 women had been reported missing in the Kempton Park area since January, with 13 located and reunited with their families.

What has not been confirmed

• That all the women’s deaths are connected.
• That a serial killer is responsible.
• That every missing woman in the area is connected to the cases.
• The identity of a suspect or suspects in the other cases.
• That particular people named on social media are involved.
• That photographs, videos or lists circulating on social media relate to these investigations.