The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has warned the public about a widely circulated social media post falsely claiming a child went missing in the Mpolonjeni area — a case the police say does not exist in their records.
According to the police, the post is one of many misleading messages shared through citizen journalism that spread false claims about missing children, police operations, and open investigations. REPS clarified that no such case has been filed at the Mpolonjeni Police Post and urged the public to verify information through official channels.
The police currently have 15 active missing children cases under their ongoing #FacesWeMustFind campaign. They expressed concern that viral misinformation not only causes panic but also disrupts investigations and can damage the credibility of legitimate reports.
Authorities also noted a worrying trend in which incidents involving child abductions by unknown vehicles go unreported to the police, with people opting instead to post about them online. REPS stressed the importance of immediate reporting to local stations when such incidents occur to ensure swift action.
Parents and guardians have been urged to alert the police about any suspicious activity involving children rather than relying on social media posts.
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