Social media posts can hamper police investigations
Vigilance is key when sharing videos and photos of incidents online
POLICE have warned social media users against sharing videos or photos of suspects implicated in crimes, especially those of a sensitive nature.
They say it hampers investigations.
In addition, any person who shares any material related to a crime of a sexual nature can be charged with distribution of pornographic material.
This after a video of a local man placing his cell phone under a woman’s skirt went viral on social media.
The incident was caught on CCTV on Saturday evening at a petrol station in Veldenvlei.
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‘People are urged not to distribute evidence that could be used in a police investigation, as this could jeopardise a case,’ said Richards Bay SAPS Communications Officer, Capt Debbie Ferreira.
‘Faces and names of suspects, as well as the act for which they are being charged or investigated, may not be circulated on social media as this has dire consequences for any investigation.’
A case of sexual assault has been opened at the Richards Bay Police Station.
‘Trial by social media’ has become a common occurrence, with Internet users all too willing to share stories, statements, pictures and videos without first verifying facts.
Where suspects’ faces are often not easily identified in a photo or video, innocent people are often implicated, as with this case where on different Facebook posts at least two different names were linked to the suspect.
Such uncensored sharing of ‘facts’ can ruin an innocent person’s life.
‘Kangaroo courts’ or ‘citizen justice’ is rife, with the majority of advocates of the practice justifying it by claiming police incompetence.
The victim’s privacy is also jeopardised, with the invasion of her privacy not limited to the incident, but lingering for as long as it is shared online.
Through the sharing of photos or videos of a crime that is sexual in nature, the victim’s identity is revealed.
This is against the law as the identities of victims of sexual crimes are, for their own protection, never made public.
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