[imagesource: Twitter / @CavendishCT]

At times like these, everybody wants to stay up to speed with the latest developments.

But, and this has been said so many times before but bears repeating, forwarding on WhatsApp messages without making any effort to confirm their veracity actually makes you part of the problem.

We are clearly dealing with a well planned and executed “insurrection”, pulled off using social media mobilisation and the know-how of former uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) operatives.

The aim is to destabilise the country, and when you forward on kak that just isn’t true, you’re actually furthering that aim.

Take for example this message that did the rounds last night, and into the morning, mostly via WhatsApp.

The dreaded ‘forwarded many times’ is often an indicator:

Again, I’m sure this comes with the best of intentions, but it’s actually harmful to spread this around.

Just ask Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who told CapeTalk that the message above “specifically drove me mad last night”:

“I think there are seven malls on that list. It was actually sent for verification and the copy sent for verification was distributed. It was shared on school groups, I mean really it kept me awake all night, just one message.

Fake news is sometimes sending us on wild goose chases.

I understand people are nervous and sending these things around. We send them for verification and, of course, if it is more urgent we deploy.

Rather than spreading something, rather if you see it yourself, then that’s when you please alert the authorities.”

When fake news circulates, valuable law enforcement resources are diverted from areas where they are needed to those where they are not.

Winde did say that there was a protest in Capricorn Park, and a flare-up that was “quelled quickly” in Beaufort-West.

In addition, there was taxi violence in Cape Town, with a shooting incident at the station deck in the City Bowl, and another in the Sweet Home informal settlement.

The City of Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, made it clear that these were in “no way linked to the unrest being experienced in other parts of the country.”

It is true that Cavendish Square did announce yesterday that it was closing for trade today, but management tweeted this out earlier:

Dear Valued Shoppers,

Our essential stores such as Woolworths, Pick n Pay and a few other stores at Cavendish will reopen today at 12noon.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. pic.twitter.com/uBbNRk3BPB

— Cavendish Square (@CavendishCT) July 15, 2021

Winde has also indicated that the province is prepared to act in the event of any looting incidents, saying a full deployment of SAPS would be sent to hotspot areas to address any violence, should it arise.

‘Unrest Tracker’ is a tool that shows where incidents of unrest, looting, and violence have occurred using credible, verifiable reports from the media.

Also, if you live in Cape Town and want to make a difference and save lives and businesses, get vaccinated.

Anybody 35 and older can now register, as well as book a slot to get the first jab.

[source:capetalk]