Hundreds of people in Buffalo Street smashed a Toyota Tazz and accosted two men they suspected of trying to kidnap a child.
The violence was sparked by rumours doing the rounds on social media sites that a gang of child snatchers was targeting East London.
Police have just released a statement confirming there are no reported cases of children being taken.
Two men, beaten up by the crowd, were taken to Fleet Street police station.
The police statement has been reproduced below.
The Dispatch has been aware of the rumours that began earlier this week which claimed that kidnappers were on the prowl.
The panic reached a crescendo this morning as reports came in that children had been snatched from sites and schools across the city.
The Dispatch obtained independent confirmation, however, that all were false.
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
PROVINCIAL MEDIA CENTRE, EASTERN CAPE
SAPS assures residents of East London about the safety of their children
King William’s Town – 01 November 2013 – The South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape would like to clarify the recent comments made on social media with regard to the alleged kidnapping or abduction of children in the East London area.
No confirmation of any such incidents have been received and no such cases have been laid at the SAPS. There was an incident yesterday morning, the 31st October 2013 at about 12:00 at a school in Braelyn (East London), where a group of young children reported a suspicious vehicle possibly following them. The police were called and reacted speedily but the vehicle and its occupants could not be traced.
The SAPS welcomes the concerns of parents with regard to their children’s safety and alertness they displayed. There is however no confirmed information about individuals or groups targeting young children
BREAKING: Mob tears apart car over baby snatching rumours
The violence was sparked by rumours doing the rounds on social media sites that a gang of child snatchers was targeting East London.
Police have just released a statement confirming there are no reported cases of children being taken.
Two men, beaten up by the crowd, were taken to Fleet Street police station.
The police statement has been reproduced below.
The Dispatch has been aware of the rumours that began earlier this week which claimed that kidnappers were on the prowl.
The panic reached a crescendo this morning as reports came in that children had been snatched from sites and schools across the city.
The Dispatch obtained independent confirmation, however, that all were false.
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
PROVINCIAL MEDIA CENTRE, EASTERN CAPE
SAPS assures residents of East London about the safety of their children
King William’s Town – 01 November 2013 – The South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape would like to clarify the recent comments made on social media with regard to the alleged kidnapping or abduction of children in the East London area.
No confirmation of any such incidents have been received and no such cases have been laid at the SAPS. There was an incident yesterday morning, the 31st October 2013 at about 12:00 at a school in Braelyn (East London), where a group of young children reported a suspicious vehicle possibly following them. The police were called and reacted speedily but the vehicle and its occupants could not be traced.
The SAPS welcomes the concerns of parents with regard to their children’s safety and alertness they displayed. There is however no confirmed information about individuals or groups targeting young children
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