Taps stolen at brand new water collection point dubbed as ‘fake news’ – News24

The water collection point in Buffelsfontein Road.

The social media post made by a DA councillor that the taps at the brand new water collection point in Buffelsfontein Road have been stolen, has been dubbed as fake news by the JOC.

DA councillor, Vernon Boggenpoel, posted a picture of the collection point without any taps on Facebook yesterday, June 16, with the caption: "The brass taps at Buffelsfontein and Airport water collection points have already been stolen...who would have thought."

Joint Operations Centre spokesperson, Luvuyo Bangazi, released a media statement following the post and said that it is "disappointing and regrettable that an elected representative of Council is free to share unconfirmed and unsubstantiated fake news about stolen water taps from water collections points currently under construction."

He added that the taps have not been stolen but that the contractors are still working on the site.

Boggenpoel had in the meantime deleted his post and replaced it with the following: "The taps have not been stolen. They are plastic. Incorrect information received. My apologies." Boggenpoel later said that he had received the information from a reputable source but that it was indeed untrue. "I apologise for the mistake. I know now to double check when receiving information that might cause harm or intend to bring negativity in our community," he said.

However, Bangazi said that although the post has since been corrected, the message continues to circulate on community groups across the Bay and beyond. "This act, which sets back the communication efforts of the JOC, done by a member of council, could have been avoided had the councilor sought confirmation from the JOC or the Department of Water and Sanitation. We urge members of the public to be vigilant towards misinformation and fake news during this crunch time. All efforts, by all stakeholders, should be aimed at informing and empowering citizens."

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Taps stolen at brand new water collection point dubbed as 'fake news' - News24