The South African Police Service (SAPS) have cautioned the public not to take a message circulating on social media seriously because it is fake news.
The message doing the rounds warns that SAPS and the Department of Social Development will remove every child not wearing mask and put them in a place of safety. This has caused concern for parents who believe the government has no right to remove their children from their care for not wearing a mask.
Police say these utterances are clearly aimed at causing alarm and fear and should be condemned in the strongest possible way.
“Social media is a helpful platform for both community and the police. However, hoaxes, fake news and dissemination of false information not only sows panic amongst our communities but also wastes the police’s time and resources,” SAPS said in a statement on their Facebook page.
They have asked everyone who have published, seen or received this fake message to ignore it and to refrain from sharing or disseminating false information.
It is a criminal offence to share fake news in South Africa. Anyone that creates or spreads fake news about the Coronavirus COVID-19 is liable for prosecution.
Report fake news through the Real411 website: www.real411.org(link is external) or the Whatsapp line 067 966 4015.
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