The latest news of two kidnapped schoolchildren was slammed as fake by the Mpumalanga police yesterday, Wednesday January 26. Mbombela woke up to the news of two children who had apparently been reported abducted by unknown men driving a VW minibus on Tuesday morning.
The news trended on social media the entire day, which caused panic, followed by parents fetching their children from school before closing time. However, following thorough investigation by the police, it has emerged that this was just fake news. A provincial police spokesperson, Brig Selvy Mohlala, said no such a case had been opened with the police.
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“The police are aware of the news of two children who were said to have been abducted in Pienaar, and we can safely confirm that this is fake news. No case was opened. We plead with the community not to spread fake news, as this can cause unnecessary panic,” he warned. Soon after the news went viral, community members also took to various social media platforms suggesting that all the entrances to Pienaar be closed until such a vehicle was found.
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“The car must still be around as we know who these people are. We must close all the entrances to Pienaar and find the perpetrators of these cruel doings. We cannot live in fear of wondering whether our children are safe or not,” said one.
