Latest news with #FannieMasemola
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Gauteng police dismiss WhatsApp shutdown threats as unfounded
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has urged South Africans to refrain from spreading misinformation following reports of a shutdown and disruption of services in Gauteng. Image: SAPS Threats of a shutdown in the Gauteng province have been dismissed by the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola following a widely circulated WhatsApp message warning of a total shutdown in Gauteng on Monday. On Monday, Masemola cautioned members of the public against spreading WhatsApp messages that seek to mobilise communities to shut down and block highways, close schools, shut down the American embassy and Consulate as well as close down targeted food outlets in Gauteng on Monday, 26 May 2025. "Good evening, members. We have confirmed reports of a highway shutdown on Monday the 26th of May starting at 7.30am. The N1 Sandton, N1 Pretoria and M1 and M2 motorways will be affected. Please make use of alternative use for EMS. This has been verified by JMPD and TMPD. Please be cautious on the roads," part of the widely circulated message reads. Reacting to the message, Masemola urged those behind the WhatsApp message to refrain from spreading fake news and misinformation. "Members of the public are warned that this WhatsApp message only seeks to instill fear, bully community members and incite violence. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the WhatsApp message and refrain from sharing it further," he said in a statement. Masemola assured Gauteng residents that the police are on full alert should there be any reports of a shutdown adding that all school services and roads will operate as normal. "Everything from businesses, schools to services will be fully functional and operational and accessible. There will be no highway shutdown or road closures. 'We are not going to allow lawlessness and acts of criminality, those who are found to be on the wrong side of the law, will be dealt with accordingly. The N1 Sandton, N1 Pretoria and M1 and M2 motorways will be opened," Masemola said. The Tshwane Metropolitan Pollice Department also dispelled the reports of a shutdown in a statement on Monday saying: "As of now, there is no official confirmation from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), or any other verified government authority regarding a national shutdown scheduled for Monday, 26 May 2025, involving highway closures or widespread disruptions. While messages circulating on social media claim that major routes such as the N1 (Sandton and Pretoria), M1, and M2 motorways will be affected, and that schools and businesses will be closed, these claims have not been substantiated by official sources." [email protected]
News24
26-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
Message about shutdown of Gauteng highways is fake, police say
A social media message about a shutdown on major roads in Gauteng on Monday is fake, according to police. The message, circulating on WhatsApp, claims there are confirmed reports of a highway shutdown on the N1, M1 and M2 on Monday, from 07:30. The message also called for school closures as well as the 'shutting down [of] the American embassy and consulates. National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the message could safely be ignored. He cautioned the public against spreading WhatsApp messages 'that seek to mobilise communities to shut down and block highways, close schools, shut down the American embassy and consulate as well as close down targeted food outlets in Gauteng'. In addition, he cautioned those behind the message 'to refrain from spreading fake news and misinformation'. #sapsHQ WhatsApp message circulating of a shutdown in Gauteng on 26 May 2025 is misleading and should be ignored - SAPS assures residents that no lawlessness will take place. The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola cautions members of the public against… — SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 26, 2025 'Members of the public are warned that this WhatsApp message only seeks to instil fear, bully community members and incite violence.' He assured Gauteng residents that police would be on high alert and would 'not tolerate any lawlessness'. 'Everything from businesses, schools to services will be fully functional and operational and accessible. There will be no highway shutdown or road closures,' he added. 'We are not going to allow lawlessness and acts of criminality, those who are found to be on the wrong side of the law, will be dealt with accordingly. The N1 Sandton, N1 Pretoria and M1 and M2 motorways will be opened.'
TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
WhatsApp message about mass shutdown labelled ‘fake news' by police
A WhatsApp message circulating about a shutdown in Gauteng on Monday should be ignored, police say. The message claims there was a plan to block highways, close schools, shut down the American embassy and consulate and close targeted food outlets in Gauteng. National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola said there was no need to panic as the message was "fake news". He warned those behind the WhatsApp message to stop spreading misinformation. "Members of the public are advised to ignore the WhatsApp message and refrain from sharing it." As a precautionary measure, police under the command of provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni, with other law enforcement agencies, are on alert to ensure normality. "Everything from businesses to schools and services will be fully functional and operational and accessible. "We are not going to allow lawlessness and acts of criminality. Those who are found to be on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly."
eNCA
26-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Gauteng 'shutdown' WhatsApp message fake
JOHANNESBURG - A WhatsApp message circulating about a so-called shutdown in Gauteng today (Monday) is false and misleading. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has urged the public to ignore and stop sharing the message. The South African Police Service says it falsely claims that highways will be blocked, schools closed, and sites like the US embassy targeted.
The Herald
19-05-2025
- The Herald
Senzo Meyiwa link to cop robbed of service pistol and case files on laptop
Police top brass say no sensitive information or possible evidence was taken during the armed robbery of a former investigator linked to the murder of footballer Senzo Meyiwa. The police sergeant reported he was in his official vehicle when he was accosted soon after midnight on Thursday, and forced to stop in Lombardy East in Johannesburg, said national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe. The suspects are alleged to have attempted to force him into the boot of their vehicle but he fought back and escaped. "A number of items were taken during the armed robbery, including a state-issued firearm with ammunition, a police reflector jacket, and a laptop bag containing a laptop, USB drives and photocopies of documentation related to the Senzo Meyiwa case," said Mathe. National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola has appointed a senior team led by Gauteng commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni to investigate the case and motive for the attack. Masemola said no important information related to the trial of five men for the alleged contract murder of Meyiwa in 2014 was taken by the suspects. "I would like to assure the country and the Meyiwa family that this unfortunate incident will not in any way affect the ongoing murder trial. "Only the copies of the occurrence book and cell registers were taken. The documents were already presented before court when the member testified and was cross-examined in court," Masemola said. "The original docket and copies thereof and exhibits linked to this case are safe. As the matter is on trial, the copies of the docket were made available and disclosed to the defence team as early as 2022, as required by law. "A high-level team is investigating whether the attack is linked to the ongoing murder trial in court and a multidisciplinary team led by crime intelligence officers are searching for the suspects." TimesLIVE
