KZN MEC for Social Development, Weziwe Thusi has condemned a spate of reports of missing children in Durban townships, which police have now confirmed to be false rumours.
The reports started in several sections of Umlazi and spread to nearby townships, including Folweni and KwaMakhutha.
Earlier today, police confirmed that none of the reported incidents have occurred and called on members of the public to stop spreading rumours.
“I have been following these reports and I must say I am shocked that people can start such rumours. It is uncalled for and unnecessary. What saddens me the most is that these reports are causing panic in communities and scaring children. They are also wasting the police’s precious time and resources, which could be better utilised elsewhere,” said Thusi.
She called on communities to remain calm. “We are not saying parents whose children go missing must not report them. We are simply saying the lies currently being spread verbally and through social networks are not helping the situation. For example, we have not heard from a single parent whose child is missing or a school teacher who says a child in my class has not come to school. I really do not know where these rumours come from, but they must stop. As parents we must focus on our responsibility, which is to look after our children and protect them from any harm. It cannot be us who spread rumours that will affect their sense of security.”
It is all very well saying not to spread the rumors – but it is not done intentionally ( if we knew it was merely a rumor do you really think we would spread fear and terror through all parents – it has definitely made us more aware as a pre-school and that is not a bad thing. So yes, rumors but not spreading because we can, just for the pure love of children & making everyone more aware of child security and safety.
Its funny they keep mentioning that its rumours. I read on the Eyethu KZN paper that a 12 year old boy was kidnapped from school and his decaying & mutilated body was found in a bush at kwadabeka. This is the link of that story. I have a 4year old daughter and i will do anything to protect her. Police need to investigate about this and i dont want to hear that my child or any persons child was found dead mutilated. if its a hoax then they need to find out who started this hoax if its real then our children are not safe and police need to do something URGENTLY!!! https://eyethunews.co.za/10401/lihlasele-idimoni-lokuntshontshwa-kwezingane-kwadabeka/