Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Sunday announced that it was taking legal action against a Richards Bay businessman for “shamelessly” propagating “fake and manipulated content across social media platforms”.
DA MP Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, the party’s shadow minister of justice and constitutional development said: “The DA is pursuing legal action against a Richards Bay businessman, Sheldon Cramer, who shamelessly propagated fake and manipulated content across social media platforms”.
Explaining further, Advocate Breytenbach said: “Operating under the TikTok handle @bobbygreenhash, Cramer disseminated a fabricated audio clip claiming to feature DA MP Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach confirming that Federal leader John Steenhuisen had leveraged the Western Cape as collateral for a multimillion-rand loan from the Bezos Foundation in America.
“The malicious voicenote also included a direct threat against Steenhuisen.”
Advocate Breytenbach said Cramer, unfazed by the consequences of his deceit, went further to assert that NASA planes circling Cape Town were evidence of this alleged transaction, urging people to act before it was too late.
“He brazenly called on supporters to ‘repost this video’ to spread the unfounded message,” said Advocate Breytenbach.
“While TikTok promptly removed the video, and Cramer seemingly deleted it from his Facebook page, such reactive measures are akin to closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
“The video persists on various social media platforms and has circulated through WhatsApp groups.”
Advocate Breytenbach said the DA was guided by legal counsel in taking legal action.
The DA has initiated legal proceedings against Cramer under sections of the Cybercrimes ACT 19 of 2020, targeting his role in making, publishing, and disseminating threatening and defamatory statements concerning the party, its leader Steenhuisen, and Advocate Breytenbach.
“The DA emphasises that the use of social media, AI, and electronic systems to fabricate and publish fraudulent, defamatory content cannot be dismissed as harmless,” said Advocate Breytenbach.
“Recognising the tangible consequences of such actions, the DA insists that the violation of the Cybercrimes ACT must be met with substantial real-world consequences.”
Advocate Breytenbach said the DA was issuing a “resolute warning” that it will not hesitate to pursue legal action against any individual, group, or political party found employing these malicious tools to propagate fake, defamatory, or fraudulent content.
“It preys on the most basic fears of our society… it is both reckless and dangerous,” said Advocate Breytenbach.
“This very poorly faked nonsense nevertheless influences real people and feeds into a deeply riven society already on edge and suffering severe consequences of bad government.
“It has real-world consequences, and as such, the DA believes that the violation of the Cybercrimes Act should also have real-world consequences.”
Advocate Breytenbach said in the face of the evolving landscape of disinformation, and on the eve of a seminal election, the party stands prepared to employ all available legal means to hold accountable those who seek to undermine the principles of transparency and honesty in our democratic society.
“We call on all South Africans to join us in this fight against the rise of deep fake content.”
Developing story…
Sheldon Cramer’s comments will be added ASAP
