Rabie Ridge family raise concerns about false video

A Rabie Ridge family has opened a case with the police after a video shared on social media claimed that their home is a human trafficking hub.

The Marshap family opened a case on 26 October after seeing the video on social media. In the video, a man known to the victims, along with three other males, stands outside the Marshap’s home. He said in the video that they are there to find out who is trafficking children.

The suspect further alleged in the video that someone told them that there was a Nigerian national that stayed at the Marshap’s family house, who was trafficking children. The video shows a group of men going into the home, demanding to search it for victims of human trafficking. The video shows some children in a room, with their wrists loosely tied.

Rene Marshap, who lives in the house and is featured on the video, explained that the man who recorded the video, came to their house and asked to shoot a small film.

Marshap explained that the suspect said that he wanted to use footage of the home to make a film to raise awareness about human trafficking. Marshap said they agreed to participate in the film, believing it would be used as a film to raise awareness. “We asked him not to publish the video on social media platforms but he did nonetheless, saying that it was work related.”

Marshap said that they are angry as the video put his family in a bad light.

Constable Jacob Nhlongo, spokesperson for the Rabie Ridge Police Station, said that an enquiry has been registered at the police station and they are investigating the incident.

Rabie Ridge Residents Association chairperson, Charles Jones, added that the association would help the police to trace the suspect. “Once we get hold of him, we will inform the police.

“Apparently it is not the first time he has done such or a similar video and that is why we are looking for him because he has put our place in disrepute.”

Details: Rabie Ridge Police Station 011 310 0410/20.