Don’t ‘instil fear’: Police dismiss false social media reports of fatal gang shootings in Gauteng | News24

Police have dismissed reports claiming that 13 people were killed during gang violence in Gauteng during the week. (Frennie Shivambu/Gallo Images)

• Reports claiming that 13 people were killed in gang violence in Gauteng are false, according to SAPS.
• However, police confirmed that there were three murders reported in Westbury.
• Police have warned social media users to stop spreading misleading content.

Police have dismissed reports claiming that 13 people were killed during gang violence in Gauteng during the week.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said social media reports have falsely claimed that 13 people were killed in gang-affected areas such as Eldorado Park, Westbury and Riverlea.

However, she confirmed that there were three murders reported in Westbury. 

“There were no gang-related murders in Eldorado Park, Riverlea, Noordgesig and other areas,” Muridili said.

She added that one of the most wanted gang-affiliated suspects, Morgan John aka Big John was arrested on Thursday for murder and appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday. 

READ | Hawks arrest man for allegedly inciting violence in TikTok video

He has been ordered to remain in custody and will appear in court again on Friday 28 June.

The police added that there were extra deployments in place to assist members from the Anti-Gang Unit and the local stations’ day-to-day policing. 

Muridili warned social media users to be responsible and stop posting misleading content that only serves to instil fear.

Meanwhile, the Hawks have traced and arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly inciting public violence on TikTok by calling for the president’s removal and for the country to be shut down.

The Hawks in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, initiated an investigation with the help of Crime Intelligence to find the man, following his utterances on the social media platform.