Hoaxes, scams (and half truths)
This article is more than 4 years old
No, document showing revised Ugandan school calendar fakeAn article shared on Facebook on 11 September 2020 claims Uganda’s education ministry has revised its calendar for the rest of the academic year.
Data from CrowdTangle, a public insights tool owned and operated by Facebook, shows that the article has been shared over 50 times, reaching more than 30,000 people on one public Facebook group alone. But its fake.
No, South Africa’s president didn’t announce 11-hour school day under Covid-19 alert level 1On the evening of 16 September 2020 South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced that restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 would be eased and the country moved from alert level 2 to level 1 from 20 September.
As he was delivering his speech, a message appeared on the Facebook page “CYRIL Ramaphosa”, described as a “personal blog”. “As we move to level 1 all schools will start at 06:00 till 17:00,” it reads. “Are we clear?” The post has been shared over 1,200 times and viewed by more than 440,000 users in less than 24 hours. But it's false.
Free water tank donations? Don’t be conned by scam Facebook pageThe Facebook page “Free Water Tank Donations” claims to be giving away free water tanks to Kenyans.
In one of its typical posts it says the water tanks have been donated by nongovernmental organisations in the US, UK and United Arab Emirates “due to the current situation of Covid-19 outbreak in several parts of the world”.Don't fall for it.
Family member who collapsed during burial, not suspected Covid-19 victim who ‘resurrected’“Man suspected to have died of Corona ‘resurrects’ and rushed to hospital as he was about to be buried in Kericho!” That’s the description of a four-minute video posted on Facebook in Kenya on 24 August 2020. It’s also been shared on WhatsApp. And its false.
No laptop giveaway – ‘Tecno Mobile Uganda’ Facebook page a scamThe single post on the Facebook page “Tecno Mobile Uganda” claims mobile phone manufacturer Tecno and computer company Hewlett-Packard are giving 500 students and teachers free laptops to help them with online studies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Is the page for real? No.
Beware: another MTN giveaway scam on FacebookA Facebook page called “M.T.N Lockdown Giveaways – Kingdom” is advertising phone, car and laptop giveaways for students.
“MTN is here to support the First 5,000 students because of this pandemic period,” one post reads. The entire Facebook page is a scam.
Kenya’s universities only to open in September 2021? Tweet from fake, deleted accountA screenshot posted on Facebook shows a tweet which appears to be by Kenya’s education minister, George Magoha.
The tweet reads: “I’m hearing Magoha this, Magoha that … University students you can mock me the way you want but when I decide to push the dates to September 2021 I wish you won’t make noise.” Did the cabinet minister really write this? No, he didn't.
No, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control not giving out N45,000 Covid-19 relief fundsA number of WhatsApp messages claim that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is giving out N45,000. The NCDC is the country’s national public health institute, charged with leading the preparedness, detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
“You just won N45,000 from NCDC due to COVID19 pandemic in Nigeria call us on 09063756881 to claim,” one message reads. But is the public health agency behind this? No.
Offered a job at Nigeria’s disease control centre on WhatsApp? It’s a scamScammers are sending out fake employment letters for jobs at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on WhatsApp.
One version even has the NCDC’s logo. “This is to inform you that you have been offered provisional employment in our organization with Staff Number- FMH/NCDC/DO2020ASL8/2020,” it reads. Don't fall for it.
No ‘total ban’ on alcohol sales in KenyaA post shared on Facebook claims to show a “special issue” of a legal notice published in the Kenya Gazette.
This appears to completely ban the sale of alcohol, a measure adopted in other countries to slow the spread of Covid-19. But the notice is fake.
New virus ‘on the rage’ in China? Outbreak reported, but tick-borne viral disease not new“As the world struggles with Covid-19, a new infectious disease seem to be spreading in China,” claims a message circulating on Facebook in several African countries since 9 August 2020.
“More than 37 people in East China’s Jiangsu Province contracted the SFTS Virus in the first half of the year ...” it says.
The new coronavirus that causes Covid-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Is STFS another new disease-causing virus to emerge in China? No.
Vacant land where ‘90% ready’ Covid-19 hospital supposed to be? No, South African MP mixes up her hospitalsA piece of land where a 200-bed field hospital was reported to have been built in Rustenburg, a town in South Africa’s North West province, is still empty. That’s according to a Facebook post from 6 August 2020.
“Hers the reason you can’t smoke… You see this open plot of land. You not seeing right, actually there is a field hospital with 200 beds standing there,” the post reads. But it is incorrect.
Heineken South Africa not closing, but has scrapped plans for new breweryBeer producer Heineken is ending production in South Africa andhttps://africacheck.org/fbcheck/vacant-land-where-90-ready-covid-19-hospital-supposed-to-be-no-south-african-mp-mixes-up-her-hospitals/
has halted plans for a new R6 billion (US$47 million) brewery, according to claims on social media.
One post claims the shutdown would leave 300,000 people jobless. Heineken makes Windhoek, Miller and Soweto Gold beers, and Strongbow cider. It has however been hit by national alcohol bans. Is it therefore shutting shop? No, this is misleading. Read more on why.
Uganda’s health ministry ‘discussing’ announcement of third Covid-19 death? No, Facebook post fakeA screenshot of what seems to be a post on Uganda’s ministry of health Facebook page says the ministry is discussing where it should announce the country’s third Covid-19 death.
The screenshot was posted on a personal Facebook page on 28 July 2020. It is also fake.
Kenyan Covid-19 ‘relief funds’ website a scamA Facebook post claims the Kenyan government will be giving KSh15,000 in “relief funds” to every citizen.
The 14 July 2020 post on a popular Kenyan page reads: “*Government* has finally approved and have started giving out free _KSh 15,000_ Relief Funds to each citizen.” It is all a scam.
No, Ugandan police announcement of arrest for people wearing masks wrongA post widely shared on Facebook claims that Ugandan police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, has announced that the police will start arresting people who do not wear face masks properly.
This is false.
No, UN didn’t tweet list of ‘most corrupt’ African countries under Covid-19A screenshot shared on Facebook appears to show a tweet from the United Nations, or UN, listing the “most corrupt” African countries during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nigeria tops the list, followed by Mali, Sudan, Kenya and Guinea-Bissau. But did the UN tweet the list in the first place? No.
No, Uganda’s exams board hasn’t announced online examsA Facebook post circulating in Uganda says the country’s examinations board is moving national school exams online due to the coronavirus.
The post, on a page claiming to be the account of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), quotes Dan Odongo, the executive secretary of UNEB, speaking at a “press brief” on 15 July 2020. It isn't true.
‘Huge’ IMF fund for Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurs? No, just another scamThe International Monetary Fund has “approved a huge fund” to be given directly to entrepreneurs and small businesses in Zimbabwe to “assist them survive the current hard economic times”.
That’s the claim in a 25 July 2020 post on the Facebook page “Zimbabwe Ministry of Finance & Econ Dev”. Does this fund exist? No.
South African government digging graves for million Covid-19 dead? No, clarifies that number for burial capacity in Gauteng“The ANC govt knows something that we don’t know, they decided to dig million graves while people are alive instead of building enough hospitals like China did?” That’s the alarming question in a Facebook post from 9 July 2020.
Many more posts have repeated the claim that South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) government is digging 1 million graves in anticipation of a surge in Covid-19 related deaths. The claim has also been reported by news outlets. The ANC clarified that this refers to the space available in Gauteng province.
No, Uganda police not investigating guests at People Power spokesperson’s weddingUganda’s police are investigating guests who attended the wedding of Joel Ssenyonyi, spokesperson for the country’s People Power resistance movement. That’s according to a post published on the Times of Kampala Facebook page on 28 June 2020. This is false.
Jobs at World Health Organization? No, message and website a scam“Job at World Health Organization. Help us fight Coronavirus by working from home,” reads a message doing the rounds on Facebook and WhatsApp.
“No experience required. It is a SMS sending job. Work 2-3 hours on mobile and earn $5-$100 daily.”
It includes a link to a website where people can supposedly apply. Don't - it is a scam.
No, Nigerian politician Ajimobi didn’t recover from Covid-19A Facebook post claims Nigerian politician Abiola Ajimobi recovered from Covid-19 and was discharged from the intensive care unit.
Ajimobi tested positive to Covid-19 in late May. He was hospitalised from 2 June. He however died and was buried on Sunday, 28 June 2020. There is no evidence that the former governor was at any time discharged from hospital.
Quickmart supermarket is not hiring ‘urgently’ due to Covid-19A Facebook post claims that Quickmart, a supermarket chain in Kenya is holding an urgent recruitment.
This, it explains, is because of decreased staff numbers at the supermarket caused by Covid-19 pandemic. But the supposed hiring plan is a scam.
No, Nigerian govt not giving N30,000 Covid-19 relief to each citizenA number of WhatsApp messages and Facebook posts claim that Nigeria’s federal government has approved a “relief fund” of N30,000 for each citizen.
Different versions link to different web pages where people can supposedly claim the money. But it is all a scam.
Beware clickbait posing as sad coronavirus stories“My only son is infected with corona virus 3 days after I lost his mother,” reads a screenshot posted on a South African Facebook prayer group. “He is the only one I have left please don’t ignore us.”
The screenshot goes on to ask users to “share in four groups let’s make a prayer chain”. It’s had nearly 690,000 views since 2 May 2020, and been shared more than 9,000 times. But it’s not what it seems. The story is clickbait, designed to attract user clicks to earn advertising money or possibly install malware.
No, Nokia not giving out new phones for students to attend online classesA post on a Zambian Facebook group claims that global technology firm Nokia is giving away new phones to students.
“If you are a student, get a chance to win a phone to attend online classes. Because of this pandemic period, Nokia is ready to give away 550 phones to students to be attending online classes. Free phones for students and your children,” the post reads. But the 'promotion' is a fraud.
Another scam Facebook post using South Africa’s Covid-19 social relief grantA message posted on Facebook on 17 June 2020 claims applications for the R350 unemployment grant from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) are now open.
It links to a website where people can get “more information”. It is a scam.
No, Jumia not giving out prizes on FacebookA post on the Facebook page “Jumia Free Shopping Voucher April” claims the Africa-focused online marketplace Jumia is “rewarding old and new customers” because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
It says 10,000 people will win prizes ranging from generators and smartphones to clothes. To win, users have to type “Jumia” in the comments. The 'promotion' is not genuine.
No MTN ‘quarantine’ promo on Facebook – it’s just another scam“ARE YOU ONLINE? APPLY NOW AND WIN NEW A PHONES, CAR LAPTOP FROM MTN, WITHING 10 SECONDS.”
That’s the intro to a badly written post on the Facebook page “M TN Giveaway Quarantine screen press”, shared in South Africa and several other African countries. It is also a scam.
Ignore scam post on South Africa’s Covid-19 social relief grant – use official Sassa channels insteadThe South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will be “making R350 payments from today to Friday 19 June”, claims a message posted on Facebook on 14 June 2020.
It includes a link to a website where people can “check your status to see how far you application is”. But all this is false.
No, governor of Nigeria’s Kano state didn’t say Covid-19 patients released from isolation centres to ‘celebrate sallah’Did Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, governor of Nigeria’s Kano state, say Covid-19 patients in a Kano isolation centre had been “freed” to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan? No.
No ‘mass recruitment’ at USAid Kenya during Covid-19 crisis – it’s a scam“URGENT MASS JOB RECRUITMENT AT USAID, APPLY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” That’s the screaming headline of a post on the Facebook page “USAID Urgent JOBS”.
The post, from 31 May 2020, claims the US Agency for International Development is hiring “300 people per ward in every county” in Kenya for a relief food programme during the Covid-19 outbreak. This is false.
Hungry Lion ‘back from lockdown’ and hiring? No, Facebook ad fakeA number of Facebook pages continue to advertise fake jobs at South African companies.
One recent advert, posted on 10 June 2020, claims to be from South African fast food chain Hungry Lion. It says the chain is “back from lockdown” and offering jobs for cashiers, cleaners and cooks. But the ad is fake.
Viral message advertising free ‘lockdown funds’ is scamA website promising “Free Lockdown funds” has been widely shared on social media in Kenya.
The website, with the address www.uhurukenyattafoundations.com, asks visitors to “Please complete the survey to avail free lockdown funds”.
But is this give-away genuine? No.
No, Tanzania’s president hasn’t banned face masks
Tanzania’s president John Pombe Magufuli has banned face masks, in what seems to be a screenshot of a tweet from his verified account, posted on Facebook on 25 May.
This is false.
‘Shoprite’ giveaway during Covid-19 outbreak a scam
A Facebook post claims Shoprite, a supermarket chain with a footprint in 15 African countries, is giving away food and gadgets during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The food and gadgets on offer include “100K, 5 bags of rice/beans, 5 cartons of Turkey / Chicken, IPhone, laptops, 10 crates of eggs or other foods.” This is false.
South African politicians did not tell public to plant chickens, fish, meat to fight hunger
South African politicians have advised the public to plant chickens, meat, and fish. That’s one of the more shocking claims in a screenshot shared on Facebook on 25 May 2020.
It reads: “SA appeared on Australian TV yesterday and apparently, we’re the laughing stock of the world!!! Not surprised!” This is false.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is a medical doctor, but not registered to practise in South Africa
A message circulating on Facebook claims Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa’s cooperative governance minister, is “not a medical Dr as her license has been erased and she was removed from the medical roll”. One version adds: “She has falsefied her title.”
Another post goes on to name other senior medical officials with the title “doctor” who are also not on the medical roll or have been “erased” from it. But she is as legit as they come.
Don’t be conned by fake ad offering jobs at Kenya Red CrossA Facebook post claims that the Kenya Red Cross has launched an urgent programme to recruit people for humanitarian work in counties affected by heavy rains and the Covid-19 outbreak.
It says those with degrees, diplomas and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) are eligible for the jobs. But it is a scam.
No, Kenya’s first lady not giving away KSh30,000 Covid-19 grantsA Facebook post on the page “Margaret Kenyatta” – the name of Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta’s wife – claims to be giving out KSh30,000 grants to help people during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is fake.
No, 250 shop staff in Alberton, South Africa, not Covid-19 positive and ‘told to keep working’A graphic widely shared on Facebook in South Africa since 15 May 2020 claims that 250 staff at shops in Alberton, a town just south of Johannesburg, have tested positive for Covid-19.
“If you know of a family member that went to any of the malls at Alberton this week tell them that 250 employees around those malls tested positive on Monday and they told them to continue working,” it reads. But the alarm-inducing warning is not legit.
No, Nigerian schools won’t reopen on 8 JuneA post on the Facebook page Eagle TV Media Nigeria claims the country’s federal government has announced that schools will reopen on 8 June 2020.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced Monday, June 8, 2020, the official resumption date for Universities, polytechnics, and other schools,” it reads. But this is not accurate.
Selling illegal, but no fine for cigarette possession under South Africa’s Covid-19 lockdownSmokers caught by the South African police with black market cigarettes will be fined R1,500. That’s the claim in a Facebook post from 15 May 2020 and a WhatsApp voice note Africa Check received.
Tobacco products are outlawed under South Africa’s ongoing lockdown restrictions. Buying and selling cigarettes during the lockdown is a criminal offence. But there is no evidence that the police may issue fines to smokers caught with a box of cigarettes.
Scam! Don’t apply for South African food parcels on Facebook – phone Sassa instead“How to apply food parcel for unemployed people in South Africa for Covid-19,” reads an 11 May 2020 Facebook post.
It tells users to comment with their location to get a food parcel application form. “If you can’t apply online just click ‘SHAR£’ we will inbox you more details.”
But should you apply for food parcels on Facebook? No, the post is a scam.
South African businessman bought airline with Bitcoin? No, it’s a scam“The secret behind the sale of an airline in South Africa,” reads the headline of an article on a suspicious website with the URL bbc.org.sa.com.
“One of the most famous businessmen in South Africa managed to acquire an airline in South Africa in a confidential deal whose details have not been announced so far,” the undated article says.
The article was first shared on Facebook on 28 April, and has since attracted more than 1.3 million views. But it appears to be a scam.
No, South African police did not confiscate food donated to white peopleSouth African police confiscated 200 food parcels that a church had donated to a community of white people, claims a Facebook post from 4 May 2020.
The post claims this is because no donations are allowed for whites. But the post is incorrect and misleading. This is why.
No, Shoprite, Checkers supermarkets not facing food shortagesThe managing director of “Shoprite/Checkers” says certain food items, and washing powder, will become scarce in the next month. That’s the claim in a message circulating on WhatsApp and Facebook in May 2020.
But it is false and could cause unnecessary alarm.
No plan for Kenyan police to ‘hunt down’ mobile loan defaultersAn article shared on Facebook in Kenya claims that the police will be arresting Tala, Branch, Fuliza and Mshwari loan defaulters.
Tala and Branch are mobile-based lenders that advance loans to borrowers through mobile apps. This claim is alarmist.
Beware! Facebook page offering cash from Kenyan senator run by imposterA post on the Facebook page “Senator Gideon Moi” claims the senator is “giving out KSh15,000 to all Kenyan citizens to help them at this difficult season”.
“In order to get this help, kindly inbox me your M-Pesa number in order to serve you as fast as possible because I understand Kenyans are in difficult positions,” the post says. Don't do it.
Beware! Facebook promotion not by MTNA Facebook post claims mobile telecoms company MTN is giving gifts to 20,000 people.
To win, it says, users must type “MTN” in the post’s comments section, like the page and share the post with 12 other groups. But this is a fraud, MTN says.
No high court ruling to ‘partially reopen’ Kenya’s churches“Celebration as judge orders churches to be partially reopened,” declares the headline of an article on the Kenyan website Nipashe News.
Is this true? No - the judiciary has denied this. The article is false. So too is the name of its author, Renley Baratheon. Details here.
‘I’m very much alive.’ No, first volunteer in UK Covid-19 trial hasn’t died“First volunteer in UK coronavirus vaccine trial has died,” claims a headline in a screenshot doing the rounds on Facebook in South Africa.
It claims she died two days after the vaccine was administered.
But she alive - and very much enjoying her tea.
No, Rachel Ruto not recruiting Facebook users to distribute hand sanitisers in KenyaA post on the Facebook page “Rachel Ruto” claimed that “250 people are wanted for distribution of free government sanitizers”. It added: “Hit my inbox.”
Rachel Ruto is the wife of William Ruto, Kenya’s deputy president. But the post is from a fake account.
Beware imposter accounts! Senator not giving Covid-19 cash to ‘all Kenyans’A Kenyan senator is giving away cash to help people through the “difficult situations” of the Covid-19 outbreak, claim posts on a Facebook page using the name “Senator Gideon Moi”.
Gideon Moi, a son of a former president represents Baringo county in Kenya’s senate.
The senator told us this was a fake account.
Scam! Don’t be conned by fake USAid Kenya job ad on FacebookA Facebook page claims there is “mass recruitment” at the US Agency for International Development (USAid) in Kenya, with “3,200+ jobs available”.
The post links to a Google Form where job seekers are to apply. But there’s a catch. “All first time applicants must pay a registration fee of Ksh. 450.” Don't do it!
KSh40 billion set aside – but not spent – for Kenya’s coronavirus responseKenya’s treasury has spent KSh40 billion “in response to the coronavirus outbreak since the first patient was reported on March 12”, claimed an article on the front page of the Star newspaper on 23 April 2020.
“This means that over the past 40 days, the government has been spending on average Sh1 billion a day.”
But this is the amount allocated to the fight against the virus, and the paper back-peddled.
Unilever, Sasko, Tastic NOT closing, still making food during South Africa’s coronavirus lockdownA viral message warns South Africans to stock up on rice, sugar and grocers as three major food companies - Unilever, Sasko and Tastic are closing down - this as the country is in lockdown.
The message is false and alarmist, the companies said. Get all the details here.
No, seven children in Senegal weren’t killed by fake coronavirus vaccineA 10-minute video warns Africans not to accept vaccines from China, claiming that the Chinese government wants to kill the “African population” with fake vaccines. It claims that seven children died in Senegal after being given the fake vaccine. This is a hoax.
No ‘application requirements’ yet for South Africa’s Covid-19 social relief grant – ignore false infoA message recently shared on several Facebook pages claims to explain how South Africans can apply for the new social relief of distress grant intended to help people hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown.
But the applications guidelines it gives are not accurate. Read why here.
No ‘cash bail’ of KSh6,000 for not wearing mask in Nairobi CBD under Kenya’s Covid-19 regulationsDoes anyone caught without a mask in Nairobi’s central business district face a “cash bail” of KSh6,000? No, this is false.
Ignore fake messages about food parcels in South Africa’s coronavirus lockdown and call 0800 601 011A “huge demand for food parcels” during South Africa’s coronavirus lockdown has led the social development department to develop a “new system” to “verify individuals that qualify”, claims a Facebook post.
But this is false. Read why here.
Beware! World Vision Kenya not offering free water tanksA Facebook page claims there is a joint partnership between USAid, World Vision Kenya, the United Nations and Care International to donate free water tanks to Kenyans to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
But there is a catch - you must pay a delivery fee. Don't.
No, Nigeria didn’t lose N700 billion Covid-19 relief funds in fire“We Lost N700 billion Naira COVID-19 Relief Funds Due To Fire Outbreak,” reads a headline on the website News Mirror, supposedly quoting Nigeria’s finance minister.
The ministry has said this is false and "pure mischief".
Free data for Kenyans during coronavirus outbreak? No, it’s a scamKenya’s government is giving every citizen 200 GB of data to encourage them to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak, claims a message doing the rounds on Facebook and WhatsApp.
But don't fall for it - or you could end up in tears.
No, Kenya’s Safaricom not giving customers KSh2,500 in Covid-19 ‘relief’Kenyan mobile network operator Safaricom is giving customers KSh2,500 to cushion them against the burdens of the Covid-19 pandemic, claims a message circulating on Facebook.
But this is false.
Sharing info about Covid-19 not a crime in South Africa – but sharing false info isA message doing the rounds on WhatsApp has South Africans worried about what information they can and can’t share on the platform.
It claims that new regulations mean that "apart from the Govt department no other citizen is allowed to post any update or share any forward related to Coronavirus and it being punishable offence. Group Admins are requested to post the above update and inform the groups.”
This message originally started doing the rounds in India in early April 2020 and has been rated as misleading. Read why.
Kenya’s 2022 general election postponed due to coronavirus? No, 2020 by-elections ‘adversely affected’“Kenyans 2022 elections to be postponed until 2027. Government to use the election budget to fight Coronavirus,” claims a Facebook post from late March 2020.
But this is false. Get more details here.
No, Nigeria’s govt didn’t pay for US$2m Covid-19 supplies, experts sent from ChinaNigeria Government Spends $2 million To import Chinese Doctors and Packages – Ambassador,” reads the headline of a video posted on Facebook on 9 April 2020.
This is not accurate. The medical supplies and team of experts from China did cost $2 million to procure and deploy. But the costs were paid by the Chinese government, not by Nigeria. Get more details here.
No, false news of KSh100,000 payout for ‘every Kenyan’ during Covid-19 lockdown not broadcast on Citizen TV“Every Kenyan to receive 100K due to the lockdown on corona,” reads text on what seems to be a screenshot of a Citizen TV news broadcast, posted on Facebook.
In early April 2020 the Kenyan government imposed a ban on movement in and out of four hotspots of Covid-19 infection.
But will “every Kenyan” be given KSh100,000 during this lockdown? And did Citizen TV broadcast the news? No - read why.
Chinese medical experts sent to Nigeria tested positive for Covid-19? No, headline false“15 Chinese team all tested positive for coronavirus today in Abuja,” reads the headline of a 10 April 2020 article on the Nigerian website Exclusive103.
The article has been shared on Facebook, where it’s been viewed nearly 400,000 times. But this is false, read why here.
No, Ramaphosa not asking foreigners to leave South Africa, no announcement of extended Covid-19 lockdownSouth African president Cyril Ramaphosa “has asked all foreign nations to depart south Africa before 21 june 2020 due to increasing cases of COVID 19”, claims a 7 April 2020 post on Facebook.
It adds that the government “is going to add three months of Totally lockdown which will start on 21 June." The South African presidency however said this post is "fake news".
Coronavirus job scam! No, World Health Organization Kenya not hiring on FacebookA Facebook post claims the World Health Organization is looking to hire community enforcement workers to help create awareness of Covid-19 in Kenya.
But on 2 April 2020 the WHO’s Kenya office tweeted a screenshot of the Facebook job ad with “FAKE NEWS” stamped on it.
In these difficult times, beware of scammers trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis.
No coronavirus in Nigeria? Pastor’s claim false"It’s not in Nigeria. That thing cannot survive in Nigeria. Coronavirus does not exist in Nigeria.” This is said by Nigerian pastor Kingsley Innocent says in a video posted on his YouTube channel on 15 March 2020.
But the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported the country’s first case of coronavirus on 27 February – more than two weeks before Innocent’s video was posted on YouTube.
No, footballer Ronaldo isn’t turning his hotels into Covid-19 hospitalsWell travelled social media posts claim that “Cristiano Ronaldo is turning his chain of hotels in Portugal into hospitals to treat those with underlying conditions who have coronavirus.”
This is false.
Not all these South African coronavirus ‘lockdown procedures’ correct – use official regulations insteadA post by the South African Facebook page BKA Boere Krisis Aksie claims seven “lockdown procedures” will be enforced by local authorities during the coronavirus crisis – and that breaking the rules will result in “instant arrest”. The procedures “will not necessarily be made public”, it adds.
The post is a mixture of accurate and inaccurate information. Read why.
South African schools won’t reopen in 2020? No official announcementWill South African schools only re-open in 2021? That's the claim by a Facebook page named “Pretoria marking centre” and which uses South Africa’s coat of arms to suggest it’s an official government page.
But this is false. Get the details.
Don’t pet dogs after using hand sanitiser? As long as they don’t drink it they are safePlease do not pet your dog or any pet after using hand sanitizer. It contains ethanol glycol that’s also found in anti-freeze that’s toxic to them!” That’s the alarming claim in a post on Facebook, which adds that this will happen if they lick the area you’ve touched them.
It's a bit alarmist.
Covid-19 test doesn’t cost N1.2 million (US$3,200) in Nigeria – it’s freePosts circulating on social media claim it costs 1.2 million naira (US$3,200) to test for Covid-19 in Nigeria.
This is false. Read why here.
No Likoni ferry ‘lockdown’ during Kenya’s coronavirus curfewHas Kenya's key Likoni ferry, which links Mombasa Island to the mainland in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa, been shut down during the coronavirus crisis?
That’s the claim in a document shared on Facebook and signed “by management”.
The Likoni ferry service does face restrictions during Kenya’s coronavirus curfew, but it has not been shut down.
China in drastic bid to kill over 20,000?China seeks 'for court’s approval to kill the over 20,000 coronavirus patients to avoid further spread of the virus'. So goes a startling claim, which thankfully, is not true.
Such a case would have attracted wide global interest. It didn't, and was first published by a junk news site.
Read our full fact-check in English here, and in the Hausa language widely spoken in northern Nigeria here.
Covid-19 in Nigeria? No, country's first case came weeks later Did a strange disease’ reported in Nigeria’s Benue state in January 2020, reportedly killing 15 and sickening over 100, be the new coronavirus, as a national publication reported?
At the time of the report, there had been no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria or Africa. Africa's first case would only be confirmed on 14 February 2020, in Egypt. Nigeria's first case was reported two weeks later.
The Nigerian authorities also ruled out that was the new coronavirus. Read details of our fact-check here.
Lagos coronavirus 'confirmed cases' hoax“Lagos confirms 9 cases of Coronavirus, 4 deaths,” claims a 9 February 2020 article on the site FoxNewsNigeria.com. But the country's first case was only confirmed on 27 February 2020.
The FoxNewsNigeria.com article is an almost word for word copy of a widely published news report on a Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria’s Kogi state. But “Lassa fever” was changed to “coronavirus”, and “Kogi” changed to “Lagos”. Lagos state authorities also dismissed this as "absolute falsehood".
Read our fact-check here.
Nigeria records first Covid-19 case?Nigeria has recorded its “first case of the deadly coronavirus”, claims an article on the website Infomate Ng. Published on 1 February 2020, the article was shared on Facebook and other websites. But the country's first case came over three weeks later.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control also issued a statement on Twitter dismissing the claim. Get the details here.
Cote d'Ivoire's first new coronavirus case? No China’s Coronavirus hits Africa, first case tested positive in Cote d’Ivoire,” reads the headline of an article on 27 January 2020. But the headline was false. The patient was showing symptoms of coronavirus, but did not test positive for the disease. Africa's first confirmed case would only come more than two weeks later, with Cote d'Ivoire's first case confirmed in March 2020.
Read the full check here.
No, WHO not offering free data for coronavirus infoA post shared on Facebook in Kenya claims that the World Health Organization is offering free internet access, so people can easily find information about the Covid-19 pandemic.
It claims that users can get “4GB data per day till 30th april” if they register with their email addresses.
The post includes a link to an external website, which appears to be clickbait, and may carry possibly harmful links. More details here.
No, Citizen TV didn’t report coronavirus case at Kenya’s Meru University“Shock hits Meru University students after a student is tested positive of coronavirus making it a second case of COVID-19,” reads what looks like a screenshot of a Facebook post by Kenya’s Citizen TV, posted on the social network on 16 March 2020.
Kenya confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus on 13 March. Is the screenshot legit? On 16 March, Citizen TV posted the screenshot on Facebook with “FAKE” stamped on it.
“Another day, another fake alert! Again, kindly ... avoid sharing it to stop creating panic,” the media house said.
Nigeria’s health minister studied medicine – not lawA Facebook post casts doubt on Nigeria’s response to the new coronavirus pandemic, saying Nigeria’s minister of health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, studied law and not medicine.
The 13 March 2020 post reads: “The worse part of this Coronavirus here in Nigeria is that, The Minister of Health studied Law.” This is false.
No, Kenya’s KTN News didn’t report 14 University of Nairobi students infected with Covid-19“KTN News reports that 14 students from the University of Nairobi (UON) of sciences famously known as Kenya Science have been infected with the coronavirus and quarantined at Kenyatta National Hospital,” claims an article shared on Facebook.
This is false.
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