October 28, 2022
Nigeria: No, China Not Building Police Stations in Nigeria, and Hasn't Taken Over Its Customs Service
IN SHORT: Debate about Nigeria's financial debt to China continues. But a claim that the Asian giant is building police stations in Africa's most populous country, and has even… Read more »
October 26, 2022
Africa: 'Download App, Sign Up and Get Rewarded'? No! Beware New Facebook Post Editing Scam
IN SHORT: An innocent but interesting message is posted on a Facebook community page. It's about a lost child or dog, or a serial killer, or a bear attack. But as soon as it's… Read more »
October 20, 2022
Nigeria: Men Arrested With Human Bones in Nigeria, Not Kenya
IN SHORT: A photo of two men holding what appear to be human skulls has spread like wildfire across Kenyan social media, with claims the two were arrested in Kenya. But that's only… Read more »
September 21, 2022
South Africa: No, Photos Don't Show Zimbabweans Smuggling Medication From South Africa
IN SHORT: Photos of medication have been shared widely on social media in South Africa, with the claims the drugs were obtained under false pretences for free in South Africa to be… Read more »
September 05, 2022
South Africa: Number of Police Is Declining, but Minister Gets Figures Wrong - And What They Represent
While briefing the press on 2022's first quarter crime statistics, police minister Bheki Cele exaggerated how many police officers had left the force in the past decade. What else… Read more »
August 23, 2022
Kenya: Male Prostitution Ring Run By Son of Kenyan President-Elect Ruto? No, Newspaper Front Page Fake
"Gay affairs ring, Redhouse boss and Nick Ruto," reads the headline on what appears to be the front page of the Standard, a Kenyan newspaper, circulating on Facebook. Read more »
August 22, 2022
Uganda: No, Uganda Police Service Hasn't Dropped 100s of Recruits Over Document Fraud
An article apparently published by Ugandan news website Daily Express has been posted on Facebook, with the claim that the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has stopped hiring after… Read more »
Kenya: Elections Agency Flagged Thousands of Votes Mistakenly Given to Odinga? No, Article Screenshot Fake
"IEBC Flags another 9,200 votes in Kisumu east constituency mistakenly added to Raila," reads the headline on what seems to be a screenshot of an article by the Kenyan news site… Read more »
August 04, 2022
Kenya: Yes, Kenya's Roots Party Deputy Presidential Candidate Has a Case for the Medical Use of Marijuana
A candidate eying Kenya's deputy presidency in the upcoming elections recently made a spirited case for the legalisation of marijuana. She argued that people in the country already… Read more »
Kenya: Arrest Warrant Issued for Nairobi Senator and Governorship Candidate Sakaja? No, Viral Graphic Fake
"ARREST WARRANT ISSUED AGAINST SENATOR JOHNSON SAKAJA OVER HIS KINGPIN ROLE IN ORGANIZED CRIME AND MONEY LAUNDERING; URGED TO IMMEDIATELY SURRENDER TO POLICE," reads a "breaking… Read more »
August 03, 2022
South Africa: Yes, Poster On Social Media Is Real - South Africa's Ruling Party Marched Against Illegal Immigrants
What appears to be a poster from South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) is doing the rounds on social media, calling for a march against illegal immigrants - as well… Read more »
South Africa: Jury Still Out On How Much South Africa Loses to Corruption Every Day
An opposition party claims that South Africa loses R800 million to corruption every day. But the number can't be verified, and appears based on an older rumour - itself… Read more »
July 29, 2022
Uganda: Alarming Screenshot Linking Criminality to Ugandan Soldiers Is Fake
A screenshot of what seems to be a Facebook post by Uganda's Nile Post News has been posted on the platform, with the startling allegation that delays in paying soldiers has led… Read more »
July 26, 2022
Nigeria: No Evidence Nigerian Business Exec Femi Otedola Is Wanted in the Us for Tax Fraud
A post published on Facebook in Nigeria on 5 July 2022 claims Femi Otedola has been declared wanted in the US for tax fraud. Read more »
July 22, 2022
South Africa: No Evidence Three Attackers in Viral South African Hijacking Video Are 'Zimbabweans' - and Incident in Klerksdorp, Not Tembisa
A video posted on Twitter on 20 July 2022 and retweeted more than 1,600 times so far shows a man next to a vehicle fighting off what seem to be three hijackers. Read more »
July 21, 2022
Nigeria: Ignore False Reports of Suspended Nigerian Police Officer Abba Kyari's Escape to Australia
A post shared on Facebook in Nigeria on 6 July 2022 claims that a suspended high-ranking police officer, Abba Kyari, has escaped to Australia after bandits attacked the prison… Read more »
July 11, 2022
South Africa: No, Dubai Police Haven't Denied Arrest of Gupta Brothers Wanted in South Africa - Statement Fake
"DUBAI POLICE DENIES THE STORY ABOUT THE ARREST OF THE GUPTA BROTHERS," reads the headline of a document circulating on Facebook and Twitter since early June 2022. Read more »
July 05, 2022
Kenya: Ganjanomics - Fact-Checking Kenyan Presidential Candidate George Wajackoyah's Marijuana Agenda
Among other unconventional ideas, George Luchiri Wajackoyah says marijuana exports will solve Kenya's economic problems. But his economics of ganja don't add up - whether it's… Read more »
June 29, 2022
Uganda: Beware of Screenshot of Fake Tweet Attributed to Former Ugandan Police Boss Asan Kasingye
"I have served police for over 30 years and I'm forced to say this is the worst I've seen. I cannot work with a police that prides in torturing people. This is why I want to retire… Read more »
Nigeria: Scam Alert, Nigeria! Beware of Fake Lagos Teachers Recruitment On WhatsApp and Facebook
A message circulating on Facebook and Whatsapp in Nigeria claims the Lagos state government is recruiting teachers for primary and secondary classes in public schools. Read more »
May 31, 2022
Nigeria: No, Nigeria's Sokoto State Has Not Approved the Death Penalty As Punishment for Blasphemy
A post shared on Facebook in Nigeria claims that Aminu Tambuwal, the governor of Sokoto state, has signed a law to punish blasphemy with the death penalty. Read more »
May 27, 2022
Nigeria: No, UK Hasn't Declared IPOB, Movement Seeking Biafra's Independence From Nigeria, a 'Terrorist Group'
A message posted on Facebook in early May 2022 claims that the United Kingdom has declared the separatists of Nigeria's Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) to be terrorists. Read more »
May 13, 2022
Kenya: Kenyan University Lecturer Busted Shoplifting? No, False Old Claim Posted Again
Two photos of a man in a suit holding a full shopping basket, escorted by what seems to be a police officer while a curious crowd follows them, was posted on Facebook on 7 May… Read more »
September 12, 2013
South Africa: A Guide to Crime Statistics in South Africa - What You Need to Know
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa will release South Africa's 2012/13 national crime statistics on 19 September 2013. This guide, produced by Africa Check in cooperation with the… Read more »