People gather outside Mfuleni Police Station on Tuesday evening demanding someone they suspect (with no evidence) of looking for children to kidnap. Photo: Masixole Feni
15 June 2016
Since Monday a week ago, rumours have persistently spread on social media that there has either been a kidnapping or there have been attempted kidnappings of children in various places around Cape Town.
Photos of a woman and also photos of a van were posted. The stories turned out to be hoaxes. Other rumours of children abducted at a school were also false.
The police released a statement refuting the numerous social media claims of kidnappings.
‘We would therefore appeal to the public to refrain from spreading inaccurate information deliberately … any concern regarding the safety of your child or your neighbourhood are best addressed by your local police station,’ the statement read.
But many people seem unaware the social media messages are hoaxes and fears are running dangerously high.
Last night, Mfuleni residents apprehended a woman they suspected of being up to no good. She had been seen sitting under a tree. Asked what she was doing, she apparently replied, “I’m waiting for my lift.”
Her bag was then searched and in it people said were a party wig, sweets, oranges, and toothpaste.
Someone started shouting, “This is the kid snatcher.” People began to surround her.
Police rescued her and took her to Mfuleni Police station around 6pm.
About 150 people surrounded the station, shouting that they wanted the woman. The gates of the station were locked and residents started to throw stones.
Police fired. People believed, based on the sound of the shots, that the police were using live ammunition and dispersed. It is not clear what ammunition was in fact used.
Stones were thrown when the police escorted the woman away from the station.
Following this incident, a public meeting has been called at Bardale Primary SGB tonight at 6pm.