Reports: South Africa
HEPA filters capture virtually all viruses and bacteria from air, but don’t ‘eat any form of virus’ on planes
Claim
Filters can “eat any form of virus including coronavirus” on aeroplanes.
Source: Fikile Mbalula, South Africa’s transport minister (29 June 2020)
Verdict
High efficiency particulate air filters capture virtually all viruses and bacteria from the air in plane cabins. But they can’t capture large infected particles or prevent transmission caused by close contact.
No, WHO hasn’t ‘unequivocally’ said South Africa is not ready to lift Covid-19 lockdown
Claim
The World Health Organization “unequivocally” declared that South Africa was not ready to lift the national Covid-19 lockdown.
Source: Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, Economic Freedom Fighters member of parliament (30 June 2020)
Verdict
There is no evidence of the WHO making this statement. The organisation says it only provides guidance but governments have to make their own decisions.
No, EFF: Death of 10 South African children doesn’t ‘completely disprove’ low risk of young people contracting Covid-19
Claim
The deaths of at least 10 South African children between the ages of 10 and 19 from Covid-19 “completely disproves the notion that young people and children are less susceptible to contracting the virus”.
Source: Political party the Economic Freedom Fighters (2 July 2020)
Verdict
The number of deaths from the disease within a population group does not prove whether or not children are susceptible to Covid-19. Experts recommend using the infection incidence rate.
In South Africa’s post-coronavirus budget, more than half of tax revenue goes to public servant salaries
Claim
Out of every R1 paid in taxes, 58 cents goes towards paying the salaries of public servants
Source: Leon Schreiber, Democratic Alliance shadow minister for public service and administration (June 2020)
Verdict
51.4% of total tax revenue goes to public servant salaries, or 51.4 cents out of every R1 in tax.
Fact-checking president Ramaphosa: Have 51% of South African women experienced intimate partner violence?
Claim
As many as “51% of South African women have experienced violence at the hands of someone with whom they are in a relationship”.
Source: South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (13 June 2020)
Verdict
The most recent, nationally representative data, from 2016, shows 26% of South African women reported intimate partner violence in their lifetime.