Latest news with #NIU
The Herald
5 days ago
- The Herald
No raid conducted at Dudu Myeni's house: police call out fake social media post
Police have dismissed claims the national intervention unit (NIU) raided the KwaZulu-Natal home of the late former SAA chair Dudu Myeni. This comes after a social media post claimed: 'The NIU raided Dudu Myeni's house and allegedly found R18m in a safe.' Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said no raid was conducted. 'The SA Police Service (SAPS) warns against the spread of fake news about a NIU raid in which R18m was found in a safe at a house in Richards Bay. 'The SAPS calls for responsible social media reporting and for users to verify information before sharing. 'No raid was undertaken by any unit.' Myeni died in 2024 after battling cancer. She served on the SAA board from 2009 until 2017, while Jacob Zuma was president, and was its chair for the last five of those years. Her role at SAA was marred by fraud and corruption allegations stemming from the commission of inquiry into state capture and she was said to have been instrumental in the crippling of the airline. She allegedly received R300,000 from Bosasa, supposedly for the Jacob Zuma Foundation. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- TimesLIVE
No raid conducted at Dudu Myeni's house: police call out fake social media post
Police have dismissed claims the national intervention unit (NIU) raided the KwaZulu-Natal home of the late former SAA chair Dudu Myeni. This comes after a social media post claimed: 'The NIU raided Dudu Myeni's house and allegedly found R18m in a safe.' Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said no raid was conducted. 'The SA Police Service (SAPS) warns against the spread of fake news about a NIU raid in which R18m was found in a safe at a house in Richards Bay. 'The SAPS calls for responsible social media reporting and for users to verify information before sharing. 'No raid was undertaken by any unit.' Myeni died in 2024 after battling cancer. She served on the SAA board from 2009 until 2017, while Jacob Zuma was president, and was its chair for the last five of those years. Her role at SAA was marred by fraud and corruption allegations stemming from the commission of inquiry into state capture and she was said to have been instrumental in the crippling of the airline. She allegedly received R300,000 from Bosasa, supposedly for the Jacob Zuma Foundation.
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
SAPS refutes false claims of raid at Dudu Myeni's residence
Former SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni's home in Richards Bay became the centre of a fake news story that rapidly did the rounds on social media platforms this week Image: Independent Newspapers Archives SAPS has firmly denied claims of a raid by its National Intervention Unit (NIU) at the home of the late South African Airways chairperson Dudu Myeni, stating that no such operation took place. Social media reports on Wednesday evening falsely suggested that R18 million was discovered at Myeni's residence in Richard's Bay. As the rumour mill gained momentum, further claims circulated on various social media platforms, including a WhatsApp voice note asserting that luxury vehicles, including a Rolls Royce, accompanied by jewellery worth millions, were found at the premises. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the SAPS spokesperson, appealed to the public and social media users alike to refrain from spreading unverified information, warning of the potential harm it could inflict. 'The SAPS calls for responsible social media reporting and for users to verify information first before sharing. "The SAPS, therefore, confirms no raid was undertaken by any of its units, including the National Intervention Unit (NIU),' Mathe stated. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The rapid dissemination of such instances of "fake news" has become part and parcel of living presently in the digital age. Unathi Dlamini, a legal expert from Shepston and Wylie, echoed Mathe's caution, elaborating on the implications of unchecked news sharing. 'Disseminating information happens so quickly; the downside is that not enough time is taken to interrogate the information and confirm the correctness. Unfortunately, the need to trend overtakes every other consideration,' she remarked. Dlamini outlined methods for identifying fake news, emphasising careful reading and critical thinking. Key indicators included assessing the credibility of the source, examining contextual clues that align with the content, being wary of sensationalist language, and applying simple common sense to determine the plausibility of claims. 'If you find something difficult to believe, dig deeper,' she advised, suggesting online tools like Google Image Search to verify images. In a digital landscape fraught with misinformation, Dlamini also noted that individuals sharing false information could face legal repercussions under the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises certain types of harmful communication. Furthermore, breaches of personal information could invoke the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), while defamation claims against individuals spreading falsehoods remain a viable recourse. As news continues to spread rapidly across social platforms, vigilance and responsible sharing remain paramount in our collective fight against misinformation. Fake news in South Africa goes far beyond being an online annoyance. It poses serious threats to democracy and human rights. Misinformation distorts conversations, erodes trust in public institutions, and sometimes leads to real-world violence. Stories about social grants, false claims that stoke xenophobia, and digitally altered media can all have damaging effects. Seshni Moodley, director of Seshni Moodley Attorneys incorporated, specialising in digital and human rights law, said the issue of fake news was alarming because it deepens existing divisions such as poverty, inequality, and widespread political scepticism. Moodley said with most South Africans relying on social media as a source of information, misleading stories can spread rapidly, making it hard for the truth to catch up. "It's not just about bad journalism; it's about dignity, safety, and informed participation in society,' she concluded. Cape Argus
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Reports of R18m found in safe in KZN house fake news, Saps says
A post claimed that the money was found by Saps National Intervention Unit (NIU). The South African Police Service (Saps) says reports of R18 million found in a safe in a house in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are fake news. A post shared on a social media platform on Wednesday claimed that the money was found by the National Intervention Unit (NIU). 'The National Intervention Unit (NIU) has raided Dudu Myeni's house and allegedly found R18 million in a safe. The house now belongs to Thalente Myeni, the son,' the post read. Fake news Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the post on X is fake news. 'The South African Police Service warns against the spread of fake news about an Saps National Intervention Unit (NIU) raid in which R18 million was found in a safe at a house in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.' ALSO READ: Chief Justice Mandisa Maya impersonated on social media Responsible reporting Mathe has called for responsible social media reporting and for users to verify information first before sharing. 'The Saps, therefore, confirms no raid was undertaken by any of its units, more so the National Intervention Unit (NIU),' Mathe said. Fake Mkhwanazi account Last week, several social media accounts purporting to be KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi surfaced on X, following explosive allegations of political interference in police operations by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya. Since Mkhwanazi made the allegations, several fake accounts have appeared on social media, particularly on X, TikTok and Facebook, using the names and photographs of the top cop. Legal action KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said they have taken note of the fake social media accounts. 'Police in KwaZulu-Natal would like to inform the public that Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi does not have a social media account, and declare that all social media accounts bearing his name and photographs are fake. They are being used to deceive the public into believing that it is the provincial commissioner communicating via such platforms. 'Although police are contemplating taking legal steps against those who impersonate the provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal to advance their personal agendas, the public is hereby informed that those profiles are fake and that neither the police in KwaZulu-Natal nor the provincial commissioner have endorsed such fake accounts,' Netshiunda said. NOW READ: No Grade 13: Basic education department dismisses claims as fake news
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
No raid on Dudu Myeni's home: SAPS addresses fake news
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has called on social media users to refrain from spreading fake news. This comes after reports claimed that the police's National Intervention Unit (NIU) raided the home of the late former South African Airways chairperson, Dudu Myeni. The reports claimed the house in KwaZulu-Natal was raided. The house is currently owned by Myeni's son, Thalente Myeni. Reports on social media claimed the NIU allegedly discovered R18 million in cash stored in a safe. The national spokesperson for police, Brigadier Athlende Mathe, cleared the record and said no raid ever took place.
