Bheki Cele fake social media accounts

Minister of Police, Bheki Cele / Image via GCIS

Bheki Cele sends out warning to ‘imposters’ posing as him on social media

Police Minister Bheki Cele says he has no social media accounts. Those with his name, details or picture should be considered fake.

Bheki Cele fake social media accounts

Minister of Police, Bheki Cele / Image via GCIS

A statement released by the ministry of police, on Friday 15 May, has condemned fake social media accounts that are purported to belong to Minister of Police Bheki Cele. 

The ministry said a warning was issued two years ago against the fake social media accounts, however, they continue to operate. According to the statement, Cele has no social media accounts, be it private or official.

CELE SOUNDS OUT STERN WARNING ABOUT FAKE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Cele has denounced any social media account in his name as fake and has issued a stern warning to those “impostors” whose motive for impersonating the minister cannot be for anything else but to draw unsuspecting social media users into their criminal activities.

Investigations by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) are currently underway and at an advanced stage to identify and locate these fake account operators and bring them to book.

There are at this stage, more than 160 accounts across Twitter and Facebook bearing profiles, pictures of Cele and his particulars. Some pictures as old as about ten 10 years from when the minister was still the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service. 

“One such account has just under 60 000 followers who wrongfully believe that they are following and interacting with Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, which is not the case,” said the ministry. 

INFORMATION FALLING INTO THE WRONG HANDS 

It is worth noting that a number of crimes have been solved through tip-offs and through confidential information provided telephonically to the minister by members of the public. 

It is on this same principle that some citizens who are active on social media, may want to share similar anonymous tip-offs, only for such information to fall into the wrong hands of these impostors. This in itself poses a risk on personal safety and the lives of law abiding citizens whose intention is to work and collaborate with the police on crime prevention and combating.

“The ministry of police has confirmed that Cele is neither registered as a user, nor active on any social media platform whatsoever, and further wishes to advise members of the public that all official communication on matters of the Ministry of Police will be communicated accordingly by this office through official SAPS channels,” it added.