Police in Gauteng are cautioning members of the public not to panic about crime information sent on social networks especially Twitter this weekend which turned out to be false. The allegations as well as the source of such information is under investigation as no complaint has been laid with the police.
The allegations were that a baby was in a hijacked vehicle and a registration number of such vehicle involved was given. Police acted on such information immediately and could not establish any hijacking and kidnapping of a baby.
The person mentioned on the social site network has been interviewed and has no knowledge of such a hijacking as well as the family alleged to have been involved. Sending out false information about crime is a criminal act. Charges of perjury may be brought against any person distributing false information on crime.
Police are appealing to the members of the public affected by crime or victims of crime to report such incident(s) to their nearest police station or to the police through 10111 Centre, Crime Stop (0860 010111) or Crime Line (SMS 32211). Police also has a site for social network on Twitter, which is @SAPoliceService.
Enquiries:
Lungelo Dlamini
Cell: 082 411 5311
E-mail: gpmedia@saps.org.za
Crime report on Twitter: police caution people sending false information
