Social media platforms in Hartbeespoort have been buzzing the past week with posts about alleged kidnappings at a shopping centre which have serious implications for businesses at the centre.

According to the posts, five kidnappings took place at Sediba Plaza and people were warned to stay away from the centre.
Police spokesperson Constable Ben Moabi said on Wednesday that no such incidents were reported at Hartbeespoort police station.
“The police caution against the spreading of unsubstantiated rumours that can cause harm to business centres.”
Business owners at the centre this week expressed their concerns about the rumours. “We have been speaking to all the businesses and their staff and not a single person at the centre knows anything about the alleged kidnappings. This is not something that will go unnoticed, especially if there were five cases as alleged,” one said.
“We are all small businesses that cannot afford to lose business as a result of rumours and fearmongering that warns people to stay away from the centre.”
Another business owner told Kormorant that the businesses and their staff members have been making enquiries, not just at the centre, but also in the suburbs. “News of these kinds of incidents usually spread like wildfire, but no one knows a thing. These reckless posts are basically telling people to boycott the centre and the businesses,” she said.
Kormorant tried to contact one of the alleged victims but was told that he did not want to come forward for fear of his well-being.