SAPS Dismisses Social Media Claim That ‘Kempton Park Serial Killer’ Has Relocated to Potchefstroom and Urges Public to Rely on Official Channels
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West province has moved to quash a viral social media message that has caused alarm among residents and students in Potchefstroom, after it alleged that a suspect described as the “Kempton Park Serial Killer” has relocated to the university town and that a large-scale police operation has been launched in response. In an official statement released on Wednesday, SAPS distanced itself from the claims, urging the public not to treat the circulating message as an authentic law enforcement alert unless and until it is confirmed through SAPS communication channels. The police emphasised that, at this stage, the Potchefstroom police have not found an official report or complaint confirming the specific claims contained in the circulating message. These claims include the alleged relocation of a suspect to Potchefstroom, an alleged incident near the Bult area, a physical description of the suspect, and assertions regarding the deployment of a mobile command centre, drones and specialised units. The statement therefore cautioned that the message should be regarded with scepticism, as it lacks verification from official sources. “At this stage, the Potchefstroom police have not found an official report or complaint confirming the specific claims contained in the circulating message, including the alleged relocation of a suspect to Potchefstroom, the alleged incident near the Bult, the description of the suspect, or claims regarding a mobile command centre, drones and specialised units,” SAPS said.
The police in the North West acknowledged that serious investigations are currently underway in the Kempton Park area of Gauteng, where a series of murders of women has gripped the nation’s attention. However, SAPS was careful to draw a distinction between those ongoing investigations and the unverified social media claims about a suspect moving to Potchefstroom. “This does not, on its own, establish that a suspect connected to those investigations has relocated to Potchefstroom,” the police statement read. The clarification comes at a time of heightened public anxiety, as Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has assured the nation that a high-level, multidisciplinary team has the required expertise to investigate the streak of murders of women in Ekurhuleni. Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday night, Cachalia sought to reassure the public and calm fears about the police’s capability to handle the case. “The team is in place, and I can give you the assurance, based on past experience, that when it comes to such situations, the South African Police Service has the experience, the high-level expertise, to investigate cases of this kind,” he said. His remarks were intended to underline that the state is taking the matter seriously and that every available resource is being deployed to identify and arrest those responsible for the murders, which have sent shockwaves through communities in Ekurhuleni and beyond.
The context of the social media rumour is a grim series of discoveries in Gauteng. Over the weekend, police revealed that the bodies of four women had been found in the same area over a period of approximately two months. That already disturbing figure grew even larger as new discoveries were made. Two more bodies were subsequently uncovered in different areas of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng on Monday, 14 September 2026, and on Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026. The death toll climbed further with the announcement of an eighth body being discovered on Tuesday evening. The sheer number of victims and the manner in which their bodies were found have led to intense fear and speculation, both in the immediate areas where the bodies were discovered and in other provinces, as residents wonder whether a serial offender could be moving across the country. It is precisely this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that the North West SAPS sought to address with its latest statement. By explicitly denying that any official operation has been launched in Potchefstroom in connection with a relocated suspect, the police are hoping to prevent panic, while simultaneously acknowledging the legitimacy of concern. They have urged the public to observe sensible personal-safety precautions, particularly after dark, and to remain vigilant without succumbing to hysteria.
Major General Ryno Naidoo, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the North West SAPS, has appealed directly to the community to remain calm, vigilant and responsible when sharing information. He said that police understand the concern that such a message can cause, particularly among residents and students who may feel vulnerable, but he warned against the dangers of spreading unverified information. “We appeal to the community not to spread unverified information or create unnecessary panic, because any genuine operational development or public safety warning will be communicated through official SAPS channels,” Naidoo said. He also used the opportunity to remind community members of basic safety measures, which can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim. His guidance included avoiding walking alone where possible, using well-lit areas and remaining aware of one’s surroundings at all times. These reminders are especially important in a university town like Potchefstroom, where students routinely walk to and from campuses, often in the evenings. Naidoo further urged residents and businesses who may have information relating to a criminal incident to report it to the police rather than attempting to investigate or confront any person themselves. He emphasised that by working together cooperatively with the authorities, communities can play a crucial role in preventing crime and ensuring that justice is served, without putting themselves in danger or interfering with police operations.
The SAPS statement also addressed the wider problem of misinformation in the digital age, noting that false or misleading information circulated through social media can cause unnecessary fear and divert police resources. Police have previously warned communities about the consequences of circulating unverified information related to law enforcement, and this situation serves as another example of how quickly rumours can spread and how difficult they can be to contain once unleashed. The public is encouraged to obtain police information directly from official SAPS communication platforms and to verify alarming messages before forwarding them. In practical terms, this means that when someone receives a message about an alleged danger, they should seek confirmation from trustworthy sources rather than immediately sharing it with friends, family or community groups. The police are not only trying to stop the current rumour but are also attempting to foster a culture of responsible communication, where citizens take it upon themselves to check the factual basis of claims before they become part of the collective fear. This is particularly vital in cases involving violent crime, where false information can lead to vigilantism, unjust suspicion of innocent individuals, or unnecessary mobilisation of resources that could have been better deployed to actual emergencies. The SAPS therefore took the unusual step of listing the official channels through which the public can verify information and receive current updates.
The official police channels provided for this purpose include the SAPS X (Twitter) account at https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService, the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SAPoliceService, the Instagram account at https://instagram.com/sapoliceservice_za/, the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/SAPoliceService, and the national SAPS website at www.saps.gov.za. These platforms are designated by the police as the authoritative sources of information, and members of the public are strongly advised to consult them before acting on any message that claims to be from or about SAPS. In cases of emergency or to report a crime, the SAPS reminded the public to contact 10111 or their local police station, while Crime Stop is available at 08600 10111 for providing information about criminal activity. Meanwhile, as the investigation into the Ekurhuleni murders continues, the nation remains on edge. Acting Minister Cachalia’s assurance that a multidisciplinary team is in place provides some comfort, but many questions remain unanswered. The identities of the victims, the circumstances surrounding their deaths, and the motives and movements of any suspect are all matters that the police have not yet publicly detailed. While the social media rumour about Potchefstroom appears to be unsubstantiated, the fact that it spread so quickly and caused such anxiety is testament to the profound public concern about the broader criminal investigation. The SAPS, for its part, has made clear that it will not allow rumours to shape its communication strategy, but will instead focus on providing verified information through official channels. In the meantime, residents in both Potchefstroom and Ekurhuleni are advised to remain cautious and vigilant, not because of any specific new threat in Potchefstroom, but simply because personal safety is always important. The police’s final message is simple: be alert, verify before you share, and report any real concerns to the authorities. Only by working together can the community and the police ensure that the truth is known, criminals are brought to justice, and unnecessary panic is avoided.