Police spokesperson squashes rumours of abductions and kidnappings in Bay, warns social media users that spreading fake news about criminal incidents is reckless and could lead to prosecution, but community leader tells parents to stay vigilant, writes Candice Bezuidenhout.
There have not been any incidents involving the kidnapping or abduction of women and girls that have been reported in the metro.
Police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, said that they have however, noted with concern the increasing number of false posts on social media about missing, kidnapped and abducted girls and women.
“Such misinformation is reckless, irresponsible and unacceptable.
“These utterances are clearly aimed at causing alarm and fear and is condemned in the strongest possible way,” Naidu said.
“Police are warning social media users to refrain from posting false information relating to incidents that cannot be confirmed, especially those involving children.
“Any person who publishes, distributes, discloses, transmits, circulates or spreads false information or fake news is guilty of an offence and may be prosecuted.”
Naidu advised that people thoroughly assess a situation first before making any assumptions on the intention of the alleged perpetrator. She referred to a recent incident when social media was abuzz with what people assumed to have happened.
“We became aware through social media of an alleged incident outside a school where a man was seen allegedly taking photos. Police viewed several video footages and concluded that there was no intention of the person accused to attempt to kidnap children.”
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She added that should a person strongly believe that an attempt was made to kidnap their child, the police should be their first point of contact and not social media.
Report incidents to police first, not social media
“If a crime was committed or even an attempt, irrespective of the nature of such crime, the matter must be reported to the police so that an investigation could be conducted. The safety of our children is paramount and every precaution must be made to ensure their safety and well-being,” Naidu said.
“While, at times, social media is a helpful platform for both community and the police, hoaxes, fake news and dissemination of false information not only sow panic among our communities but also waste the police’s time and resources. In instances where resources are being used to respond to such fake news, every effort will be made to recover the costs of such response(s).”
Community leader, Richard Draai, believes that if no charge is laid, police don’t respond and therefore the onus is on parents, school principals and members of the schools’ governing bodies to try to avoid such incidents at all costs.
Plans should be in place at schools
“The police wait for something to happen before they respond but just because nothing has happened in our metro so far, doesn’t mean that it will stay that way. There is a national safety plan in place for schools to deal with such incidents and it is therefore imperative for each principal and SGB to ensure that this plan is followed through,” Draai said.
He said this plan entails a very important school meeting that should take place at least once a month at schools, with a police representative present. At this meeting, all incidents relating to the children at school should be communicated and highlighted, whether they are an attempted abduction, bullying, robberies or anything else. This involves the police more and helps them to be aware of what is going on at schools.
He advised that principals should stand at the gates and be vigilant by keeping an eye on every car. Some schools hand out pamphlets with safety tips and Draai believes that this is also a good initiative, as is regular appeals made at parent meetings to educate their children about safety.
Parents must be vigilant
“I want to place emphasis on our parents. You have to know where your child is at all times.
“You should pick them up from school on time and if someone else is responsible for transporting your child, you must know everything about this person.
“Be more involved. Remember that sending your child to the shop for instance, can no longer be done.
“Some children play outside and are abducted; some are abducted in the short distance they walk to the shop. Parents need to be vigilant,” he explained.
Draai added that police visibility is of the utmost importance, even if it is just a marked vehicle parked outside schools for a minute or two.
“Active policing doesn’t have to take place, but visibility outside schools could deter a potential abductor. It will make a difference.”
