Gauteng Police refute reports of woman arrest over use of fake bank note

Share the Article:

Gauteng Police have refuted reports that an elderly woman was arrested after she purchased groceries using fake bank notes at Shoprite store in Jukulyn, Pretoria.

This comes after an article and a video circulating on social media purporting that the money is from her Nigerian son-in-law who had just paid them R95 000 lobola for the bride.

It further allege that the son-in-law as having paid them with hard cash during the lobola negotiations and the money rotated amongst family members up until the mother went to buy grocery at Shoprite.

The report stated that the mother didn’t believe when she was told that her money was fake and that only R40 000 was recovered from the family members while the rest was spent.

Rietgat Police Station conducted an investigation in order to ascertain the validity of the allegations, provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said.

“The police visited a local Shoprite store and spoke to the Manager who denied claims that their store caught anyone paying with fake money. There is also no such case registered at Rietgat and the neighbouring Police Stations.

“It is disheartening that irresponsible social media users would deliberately post misinformation about an area while others share carelessly without verifying whether or not the story is accurate.”

Masondo emphasised that the sharing of misinformation puts the South African Police Service at a disadvantage because all the allegations of crime have to be investigated.

ALSO READ | SA citizens in foreign countries urged to register to vote

He added; “This leads to the police utilising state resources and losing valuable time that could have been better utilised to investigate real incidents. Eventually that also disadvantages victims of crime and hampers service delivery.”