False rumours of protests in Pretoria condemned
“Rumours that busses full of protestors were in Broodryk Street, Pretoria North is false and should be disregarded.”
Residents have been warned – do not post false information on social media.
This was said by security services after rumours surfaced of protests in Pretoria North.
Jaco de Beer of Tracing Investigation Collection Security Services said on Tuesday that rumours had been doing the rounds that protesters were heading towards Pretoria North.
“Rumours that buses full of protesters were in Broodryk Street is false and should be disregarded.”
De Beer said rumours were that the protesters were heading towards the railway station.
“I am in conversation with Prasa, who called in the Red Ants to help patrol the railway and keep their offices safe,” he said.
Most shops and shopping centres in Pretoria North were open for business, while a few were closed as a precautionary measure.
As violent protests and looting took place across Pretoria and other parts of the country on Monday, and continued in some areas on Tuesday, authorities called on social media users not to share fake news.
Sinoville police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said rumours of protests in Sinoville and Montana on Monday were also untrue.
“We urge our communities to refrain from sharing unverified news about protests on social media, which causes unnecessary panic.”
Major shopping centres and malls in the area used Facebook and social media platforms to communicate with clients on when and if shops would be closed as precautionary measure.
“We (police) are on patrol and will keep an eye on the situation. For now, all is peaceful,” said Van Dyk on Tuesday.
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