Concern over impact of fake news on testing, screening campaign
The Department of Health in Gauteng has expressed concern at the impact of fake news on South Africans’ willingness to undergo coronavirus testing.
The department said on Tuesday that a number of people have refused to be tested as a direct result of misleading information in the public domain.
The spreading of fake news has already led to one high-profile arrest.
A man has been arrested in the Western Cape for posting a video on social media in which he claimed that the swabs, used by officials for testing, are contaminated with Covid-19.
Gauteng Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana says the screening and testing teams had to resort to pleading with community members.
“We wish to state categorically that this is not true and we can assure the public that the screening and testing will not expose anyone to Covid-19 in any way. The screening and testing initiative is aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus. We urge the public to take Covid-19 seriously.”
Kekana warns members of the public to be wary of fake news.
“Community healthcare workers in Gauteng, working with multiple stakeholders, are currently undertaking a large scale community testing and screening programme which is aimed at contributing to interrupting the transmission of Covid-19. It should be noted that anyone that creates or spreads fake news about Covid-19 is liable for prosecution.”
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Man arrested for posting fake news on coronavirus
The video, in which he calls for South Africans to refuse coronavirus testing, went viral on social media. Police spokesperson Mathapelo Peters says the 55-year old man is expected to appear in court on Tuesday following his arrest at Parow Police Station the previous day.