Alderman JP Smith, Cape Town’s Mayco member for safety and security, has reminded the public to practise responsible online behaviour when it comes to reporting incidents.
Sharing suspects’ identities online, though well-intentioned, is illegal and can hinder the investigation and prosecution process.
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According to Alderman Smith, early this morning, information about a group of hikers who were intimidated by a person on a trail filtered through to one of the social media chat forums.
A description was issued, and the officers closest to the scene responded. Members of the Law Enforcement Tourism Unit discovered the perpetrator while searching the trails and surrounding area. He had already been apprehended by a member of the private security industry.
The suspect was arrested and taken to SAPS’ Cape Town Central Police Station, where he was detained.
While acknowledging the community’s role in alerting authorities, Smith urged restraint when it comes to sharing images or identities of suspects on group chats or online forums.
‘While it is understood that those in the tourism sector and those who frequent our mountain trails are appreciative of the recent successes being achieved through these collaboration efforts, we must plead with all persons to act responsibly when posting things online,’ said Smith.
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Such actions, though often well-intentioned, are illegal and can seriously hinder the investigation and prosecution process.
Smith explained that once a suspect’s photo is disseminated online, it compromises the legal integrity of official identity parades.
This key tool for linking suspects to previous crimes becomes unusable as it is dismissed as evidence due to public exposure. This results in a weakened legal case against the suspect, potentially allowing them to evade justice for past offences.
In his message, Alderman Smith appealed to the community’s sense of justice and responsibility.
By refraining from sharing suspect images, the public can play a vital role in supporting the legal process and ensuring that justice is served effectively and fairly.
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Picture: JP Smith / Facebook