Gruesome photos of farm attack fake

Disturbing visuals trending on social media and depicting so-called farm attackers being shot and killed during an incident on the outskirts of Mookgophong have been confirmed as fake news.
The photos show graphic images of suspects being killed during what seems to have been a shoot-out. A text accompanying the photos implies that farmers in the Mookgophong area stood together to apprehend the attackers.
A specific date and time when the purported incident occurred could not be established as none of the sources contacted had any knowledge thereof.
Director of the Heritage Protection Group, Ben Engelbrecht confirmed the rumours to be fake news. “We are aware of the photos circulating on social media. It is not true. The photo on which a helicopter was captured was taken during a search for suspects who robbed a lodge in the area about four weeks ago.
The other photos are allegedly of a cash-in-transit robbery elsewhere. Someone combined the photos of the two incidents, adding the text that it happened in Mookgophong,” Engelbrecht said.
Provincial Police Communications Head, Motlafela Mojapelo warned against the confusion caused by circulation of fake news on social media. He cautioned that people should not believe incidents reported on social media if not confirmed by a Police spokesperson. “An authentic crime story on social media will bear the name of a Police spokesperson and the name of the reporter or journalist,” he said.

Story: RC Myburgh
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