SAPS slams fake video linking senior police to false arrest

Northern Cape – South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape has condemned the circulation of what it described as false and misleading social media content linking senior provincial police officials to an arrest incident that did not occur in the province.

In a statement issued on Saturday, SAPS Northern Cape said it had become aware of a video being shared online that allegedly depicts an encounter between police officers and a woman during an arrest.

The police clarified that photographs of two senior SAPS Northern Cape managers that have been circulated alongside the video have no connection to the incident.

“It must be made clear that the photo of the two senior managers are in no way connected to the video, as the incident occurred in another province and not in the Northern Cape,” the statement said.

According to SAPS, the video and the accompanying narrative are “false, misleading and do not represent an accurate account of any incident involving SAPS members in the province”.

Police said the content appeared to have been manipulated and presented out of context with the intention of damaging the reputation of the organisation and its members.

“The content appears to have been manipulated and presented out of context, with the intention of creating a negative perception of the organisation and its members,” SAPS said.

The police warned that the spread of fabricated information could cause significant reputational harm, particularly to senior management officials in the province.

“The circulation of such fabricated content is irresponsible and has the potential to cause serious reputational harm to the SAPS, particularly to the senior management of SAPS Northern Cape, whose integrity and commitment to professional policing remain beyond question,” the statement added.

SAPS reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that allegations against police officials are investigated through appropriate channels.

The police urged members of the public to verify information through official SAPS communication platforms before sharing content online.

“Members of the public are urged to exercise caution when sharing content on social media platforms and to verify information through official SAPS communication channels before distributing material that may be false or defamatory,” SAPS said.

The organisation also warned that it reserves the right to pursue legal or other appropriate action against those responsible for creating and distributing malicious falsehoods aimed at damaging the reputation of the police and its officials.

SAPS called on communities to continue working with law enforcement in the fight against crime and to rely on credible sources of information.