Authorities have cleared up a controversy around a video which social media users believed was of a group men trying to snatch a child from his father at a shopping centre.
Police say the man holding the toddler was actually suspected of shoplifting, and had been using the little boy to prevent him from being caught.
He was arrested and appeared in court earlier this week.
The 34-second video, which was filmed at N1 City, went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook over the weekend.
TRUTH: The man in N1 City video being held for shoplifting, say cops. Video: Supplied
Not much information had been available regarding the video and theories doing the rounds on social media were that foreign nationals were trying to kidnap the child in broad daylight.
And others said the man holding the toddler was, in fact, the kidnapper.
However, police confirmed to the Daily Voice on Wednesday the man had been arrested for theft.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, explains: “Kindly be advised that the person in the video clip was arrested for theft (and not kidnapping). He appeared at Goodwood Court on Monday, 20 August, on the mentioned charges.”
The video shows the man, whose identity is yet to be revealed, being surrounded by a group of men, one of whom is an undercover mall security guard.
The man is seen trying to get away from the men and is even pushed at one point.
One Facebook user wrote while sharing the video: “A few men wanted to take this child from his father at N1 City mall in broad daylight in the view of so many witnesses. Child nappers are becoming desperate. [sic]”
It was also claimed on social media the man had shoplifted at Choice Clothing.
But N1 City management has confirmed the incident had taken place at Checkers.
They have since issued the following statement, which will also be shared on Facebook as they have been inundated with calls from the public.
“The video shows an alleged shoplifting suspect being apprehended by an undercover Checkers security guard,” said the mall.
“To our knowledge no child was abducted. Any queries can be directed to the Goodwood Police Station on 021 592 4430 as this is an active SAPS investigation.”
Authorities have yet to confirm if the boy is his child.