KAROO NEWS - SAPS has urged the public to refrain from posting false information on social media, noting with concern the increasing number of false posts about missing, kidnapped and abducted girls and women.
“Such misinformation is reckless, irresponsible and unacceptable,” said Capt Bradley Rawlinson on behalf of the SAPS in the Sarah Baartman District. Rawlinson added that, in the past week, social media was abuzz with claims of attempted kidnapping, which later proved to be false.
“In all of these instances, police were never contacted,” Rawlinson said. “These utterances are clearly aimed at causing alarm and is condemned in the strongest possible way.”
Rawlinson stated that, should a person strongly believe that an attempt was made to kidnap a child, the police should be the first point of contact.
“If a crime was committed, irrespective of the nature, the matter must be reported to the police for investigation.”
According to Rawlinson, any person who publishes or circulates false information is guilty of an offence and may be prosecuted.
“The safety of our children is paramount and every precaution must be made to ensure their safety and wellbeing,” he said.
SAPS has appealed to anyone with information on any person responsible for the creation and spreading of false news to report the matter to police.
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