The Krugersdorp Police have responded after Munsieville residents took to the streets to protest against their children being targeted by criminals.

Read initial article here: Human trafficking and child abductions: Munsieville community up in arms

Brigadier Ngwako Mashao, Krugersdorp Police station commander, warned the public against circulating false information on social media and in the community. This came after a story surfaced that a mother was pepper-sprayed and her baby snatched from her back.

He said the circulation of this story then led to a total shutdown protest of Munsieville where community members blocked the entrances to the informal settlement with rocks and burning tyres.

Captain Raymond Sebonyane, Krugersdorp Police spokesperson confirmed that the only missing persons cases that they were aware of for Munsieville was that of a missing 22-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl.

It was later established that both were with their boyfriends during the time when they were allegedly missing,” Sebonyane said.

He added that reporting a missing person to the police should not be a matter that is taken lightly. The report should be immediate to enable police to mobilise and trace the missing person.

“The community is urged to have all necessary information. Names, addresses and full descriptions of the missing person or child and preferably a photo, when reporting a missing child or person.

There is no waiting period to report a missing person.

However the circulation of false information on social media and in the community not only causes panic among the community at large, it can result in protest as was experienced in Munsieville.

The circulation of false information, images and footage on social media does not assist in our fight against crime, but instead causes the police to divert resources and time that should be used for combating crime and investigating genuine cases. I strongly condemn this false information and I call on these perpetrators to retract it and stop the circulation,” Mashao said.

They are also encouraging the community to supply the police with information that will help in the investigation of crimes and apprehending perpetrators of crimes.