ZWELITSHA – SAPS management has noted with concern the circulating video clip in social networks, showing commotion inside the Police Station which was purported to have taken place in Madeira Police Station on Tuesday night, 24 May 2022 last week in Mthatha.

On investigation, the said video clip was found to be an old video which emanated from an incident that took place inside a Police Station in Sutterheim and not Madeira Police Station as was alleged in the social media. According to the report, the said incident occurred after four women and one man visited the police station to complain about the other’s boyfriend who had assaulted his girlfriend earlier in the tavern.

It is further alleged that in the police station the boyfriend arrived and started recording everyone whilst the report was being made. As he was queried, he reacted by assaulting the girlfriend again and immediately escaped. However, the police arrested him later for assault. The girlfriend returned to the police to request that the case be withdrawn against the suspect at the time, but the police told her that it was not the responsibility of the police to withdraw cases. She was then referred to court where the charges were subsequently withdrawn against the suspect.

SAPS management is therefore warning social media users to please verify the facts of the story before posting any material that carries the potential to cause confusion, instil fears and mistrust and further damage the reputation of other people without cause. Negligent usage of social media may lead to a lawsuit especially where an individual has been found to have lied or wrongly accused another person in public without proven evidence.

Source: South African Police Service