Police advised the public to be cautious when posting information on social media websites.
Spokesperson Captain Johan Rheeder says people often hear stories and then post these on Facebook as fact, even though the information is unverified.
Rheeder says this has led to police wasting resources to follow up on what amounts to incorrect information.
He says members of the public must take responsibility for what they post on social media sites adding that police may consider tracking them down.
In March this year a report was received about a school girl who was allegedly abducted by a man near a school in the northern areas.
Police went out to contact all those who could assist with the inquiry.
The incident turned out to be a hoax
Labans has appealed to the public, where possible, to provide concise information to them when dealing with such matters
