VANDERBIJLPARK.- The Vanderbijlpark Police have said that no good can come from the spreading of fake news after a series of false human trafficking claims have been doing rounds on the social media platforms in the area.
On Friday 25 September, Vanderbijlpark Police Spokesperson, Sergeant Makhale released a media statement pertaining to a 26-year-old suspect that was arrested for kidnapping.
However later that day there was a voice note circulating alleging there were three suspects arrested for kidnapping a woman and a child, while another suspect was fleeing from the CBD after a kidnapping alleging the suspects only just hijacked a female in her vehicle.
In another incident on Monday there was also a voice note circulating alleging that people are being robbed at the Vaal Mall, which also alleged that a lady who is working at the local spares was robbed at the premises of the Vaal Mall. Makhale said that they (police) had to reach out to determine the specific incident and traced the lady to her work place, only to find out that the lady has not opened a case with them, and that she was on the R42 hitch-hiking when she was robbed.
“She was given a lift by a silver-grey Jetta which had three unknown male suspects inside, who robbed her of her cell phone and cash.
“After our intervention with the lady, she then later came to the police station to open a case…if the community does not come forward to open a case, we will never know that there was any crime committed. We will like to urge the community to verify their facts before circulating fake news as this affects the investigation. At this moment, Vanderbijlpark SAPS will like to warn our community about hitch hiking and that the suspects use different cars every time they commit this crime. No good can come out from spreading of fake news. Our community is urged to report crime and suspicious activities to their nearest police station or to Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or they can also use MySAPS App that can be downloaded on any smartphone.”
