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24 October 2007

Hoax e-mails relating to the closure of the "Child Protection Units", cases of kidnapping, rape, HIV/AIDS, etc, have been circulating since 1995. The main and only aspect which has changed over the years, is the severity of the false information. The latest hoax e-mail (2007) contains disturbing photographs of the body of an unknown decapitated boy.

In these e-mails, persons are requested to add their name to a list and then submit it to the South African Police Service (SAPS) (childprotectpca@saps.org.za). This e-mail address does not exist within the South African Police Service.

The South African Police Service does not have any involvement in the compilation or distribution of these hoax e-mails and distances itself from these hoax e-mails.

Thousands of these hoax e-mail lists are forwarded to various sections within the SA Police Service, especially the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. This results in a waste of valuable time which could be utilised to attend to serious and urgent matters.

People are requested:

* not to become part of this scam
* not to forward the hoax e-mails to friends, family, etc
* not to forward the hoax e-mails to the South African Police Service

The protection of children is a priority area of the South African Police Service. The first Child Protection Unit (CPU) was already established in 1986 due to this.

Due to several factors, it was decided to extend the sensitive service which was provided to child victims, to adult victims of sexual offences. This led to the establishment of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS). The FCS still provides the same service to children. The Child Protection Units are transformed into Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units.

For further detail, please visit the official website of the South African Police Service: Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units: http://www.saps.gov.za/org_profiles/core_function_components/fcs/establish.htm

Enquiries:
Supt. Ronnie Naidoo
National Spokesman
Tel: 012 393 5506
Fax: 012 393 5525/27
Cell: 082 778 4311

Issued by: South African Police Service
24 October 2007