‘We do not have a problem of human trafficking in Polokwane’ – Police

Video clips and messages of apparent abductions are doing the rounds on social media platforms and has created panic in Polokwane.

In one video, a woman is seen being kidnapped by two men and forcefully put in their vehicle, allegedly in Polokwane. Review Online spoke to Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, who confirmed this incident did not occur in Polokwane.

This happened daylight in Polokwane @SAPoliceService #HumanTrafficking #NigeriansMustGo @AdvoBarryRoux @Julius_S_Malema @tumisole pic.twitter.com/pcIm56ITGN

— Kenny Majozi (@Kenny_Majozi_) September 15, 2020

“We are aware of video clips and messages that are doing the rounds on social media and we do not have records of these in Polokwane. All these are meant to cause unnecessary panic,” Mojapelo told Review Online.

Other messages, claiming that a syndicate of kidnappers has arrived in Polokwane, is also doing the rounds and people are urged to avoid the central business district as well as visiting malls on their own.

“We do not have a problem of human trafficking in Polokwane. In fact, since May until now, only five people were reported missing in Polokwane and all of them have been found, either at their boyfriends, brothers or fathers,” Mojapelo added.

He said the city or the province cannot have no-go areas and urged people to be vigilant when walking the streets, as well as report any suspected criminal activity.

“The Station Commander, Brig Gift Makhubela, is leading targeted operations at our identified hot-spots in the city to prevent crime. For them to be successful, we need active involvement of the business sector and community members,” he added.

Mojapelo said they are not in anyway saying there is no crime in Polokwane, but that it has not gotten out of hand as insinuated on social media.