A Thaba Nchu man a victim of car cloning

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – An innocent man’s life is at stake following the circulation of a fake Facebook post and WhatsApp audio purporting him to be an alleged kidnapper.

Personal details and home address, including ID number of TS Kankalane were shared on social media alleging that his car was involved in an alleged kidnapping of a child in Thaba Nchu which never happened.

TS Kankalane’s car registration numbers were alleged cloned and used in criminal activities, was confirmed by the Selosesha Police in Thaba Nchu.

He has made statements at the Selosesha Police Station and the Police have confirmed his innocence.

The Selosesha Police Station Commander who spoke to Free State World confirmed TS Kankalane’s innocence saying, the car that is alleged to have been involved in the alleged kidnapping is not a Ford Ranger as shared on social media, (WhatsApp and Facebook) but it is a Toyota model.

The Station commander added that there was no alleged kidnapping of a child in Thaba Nchu but the incidents were allegedly happening in Bloemfontein and that TS Kankalane was not involved but his car registration was cloned.

TS Kankalane talking to Free State World said what happened to him has damaged his reputation as he has been getting a lot of calls from people believing what is being shared on social media. (The post circulated from 15 December 2023)

“The circulation of the posts on WhatsApp and Facebook has damaged my reputation. Our country is battling with the effects of gender-based violence and our province has a dark cloud of the kidnapping of women, children, and murder hanging over it and to be accused of kidnapping while innocent is heartbreaking. I have made statements with the police and they are aware of my innocence and can attest to it as I found out from them that my car registration number was cloned” said TS Kankalane.

He stated that his safety and that of his family have been compromised as his home address and ID number have been shared and he has engaged his lawyers and will take legal action.

One of the people who shared the post on Facebook, Kgalalelo Molelemane whose post went viral apologized to TS Kankalane and said she shared the post without verifying facts after it was sent to her and felt sorry as she realized had put his life in danger.

Kgalalelo has reached out to TS Kankalane and has since apologized.

“I want to clear my name, my car was never involved in any alleged child kidnapping, I found out from the police that the car involved in the criminal activities is a Toyota and not a Ford Ranger. I am hurt to the core as I am innocent. I have sisters and a girl child and would not hurt them as I love them and I am always protecting them” concluded TS Kankalane.

People are encouraged to verify facts with the police or relevant authorities before re-posting or sharing information that could endanger other people.

This story was first published in Free State World.

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