The minibus taxi that was hijacked with learners inside in KwaMpumuza, Pietermaritzburg, sparking false rumours that foreign nationals had kidnapped the schoolchildren. The councillor of the area has appealed to the community to stop spreading false rumours while KZN police have warned residents that spreading fake news that could potentially incite violence may constitute a criminal offence.
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KwaZulu-Natal police have warned that the spread of false information which could incite violence may constitute a criminal offence, following the circulation of voice notes falsely claiming that foreign nationals had kidnapped schoolchildren in Pietermaritzburg.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda urged members of the public to refrain from sharing unverified information, particularly amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration issues.
“The spreading of false information that is likely to promote violence may amount to incitement of violence, which is a criminal offence,” said Netshiunda.
“Residents are warned to refrain from making inciteful and inflammatory statements. Social media users must also verify information before sharing to avoid being an accessory to the spreading of misinformation or disinformation.”
The warning follows the hijacking of a school transport minibus taxi carrying learners in KwaMpumuza earlier this week, an incident that sparked false claims on social media that immigrants had abducted the children.
A voice note that circulated widely alleged that foreign nationals were responsible for the incident, fuelling concern in several communities.
However, councillor Sbu Mtshali, who is familiar with the case, said the claims were completely false and warned that such misinformation could inflame tensions.
Speaking to the Sunday Tribune's sister publication, Isolezwe, Mtshali explained that the minibus taxi was hijacked after the driver briefly left the vehicle.
“The taxi was taken while the driver had gone into a house, leaving four learners inside,” he said.
According to Mtshali, suspects travelling in another vehicle allegedly entered the minibus and drove off with the children still inside.
“What helped authorities respond quickly was that the driver still had his cellphone with him, allowing him to immediately raise the alarm and report that the taxi had been taken with learners inside,” he said.
Police later intercepted the vehicle on the road towards Bulwer after it had left the Pietermaritzburg area.
“It is false that the suspects are foreigners. They are local people. We have warned that spreading lies about foreigners being responsible could create serious problems,” said Mtshali.
The voice note was subsequently shared beyond Pietermaritzburg, with some individuals falsely linking the hijacking to incidents in areas such as iNtshanga and other townships.
Community member Musa Ngema said the learners involved were pupils from Tetelegu Primary School. He explained that the minibus had been transporting learners from Sweetwaters to the school in KwaMpumuza when the hijacking occurred.
Ngema said the incident had left parents and residents shaken.
“Parents and the community are very scared. We hope police will strengthen roadblocks in the area to prevent incidents like this from happening again,” he said.
The incident comes amid heightened national tensions ahead of the June 30 deadline announced by anti-illegal immigration movement March and March, which has called on undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
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