The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has strongly condemned the circulation of false information after an image falsely depicting Orlando West High School on fire was shared on social media, causing unnecessary alarm within the community.
According to Emergency Management Services, the image in question was fabricated and did not reflect a real incident. Following its circulation, emergency officials immediately initiated verification processes to establish the accuracy of the claims.
Emergency Management Services confirmed that Orlando West High School was not on fire and that no related incident was reported to or recorded by the City’s Command and Control Centre.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Kagiso Phasha described the incident as reckless and irresponsible, warning of the serious implications such actions carry.
“The creation and distribution of false emergency-related content is extremely dangerous. It causes unnecessary panic among residents, diverts critical emergency resources, and undermines public trust in emergency response systems. These resources are meant to save lives and respond to genuine emergencies,” said Phasha.
Phasha further warned that hoaxes and fabricated incidents place emergency personnel at risk by drawing them away from real-life-threatening situations where their presence may be urgently required.
Emergency Management Services emphasised that false reports and manipulated content, regardless of intent, have far-reaching consequences. Beyond spreading misinformation, such actions may result in legal repercussions for those responsible.
Residents have been urged to act responsibly by verifying information before sharing it and to refrain from circulating unconfirmed or manipulated content, particularly during emergencies.
During genuine emergencies, members of the public are reminded to contact the City’s Command and Control Centre on 011 375 5911 to ensure a swift and appropriate response.
The City of Johannesburg reiterated its commitment to safeguarding communities and ensuring that emergency services remain available and effective where they are genuinely needed.
