September 08, 2023
South Africa: No, You Do Not Need to Take 'Three Half Minute Pauses' to Avoid 'Sudden Unexpected Death' When Waking Up During the Night
IN SHORT: Social media posts warn users to avoid "unexpected death at night" by adhering to a "three half minute pauses" rule, but this strange advice is simply not true. Read more »
September 06, 2023
South Africa: Kenya Vs South Africa? Fact-Checking Claims About the Two Countries' Contrasting Economic Paths
South African publication the Daily Maverick recently published a glowing opinion piece on Kenya's growth trajectory, often contrasting it with South Africa's. The author made… Read more »
August 25, 2023
South Africa: #NationalConvention2024 - Fact-Checking Opposition Claims About Crime, Jobs and Voting in South Africa
As formations to unseat the ruling party ahead of the 2024 general elections begin to take shape, claims are being made about what the opposition says is the poor state of the… Read more »
August 23, 2023
South Africa: Is Poverty On the Decline in South Africa? We Fact-Checked Cyril Ramaphosa's ANC Claims
A number of sceptical readers asked us to take a closer look at pronouncements made by the president at the ANC's review of its manifesto. As we found, nuance also matters. Read more »
August 18, 2023
Zimbabwe: Zim 2023 Election Watch - No Evidence for Claim That Election Commission Released a List of Ruling Party Candidates Nominated Late
IN SHORT: Social media posts claim that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) released a slate of 56 Zanu-PF candidates who submitted their nominations late. There is little… Read more »
August 11, 2023
South Africa: Old Claims About Rape in South Africa Still Being Shared Online
Scarce data is just one obstacle to combatting sexual violence. An expert said we should also address harmful social attitudes about gender, the lack of access to comprehensive sex… Read more »
August 15, 2023
South Africa: Factsheet - Total Grid Collapse? Billions in Losses? We Answer 10 Questions About Load Shedding
Power outages affect livelihoods, the economy and have even claimed lives. Is South Africa approaching a grid failure? We unpack what that would look like and what the government… Read more »
South Africa: 'Colloidal Silver' Has Many Side Effects and Should Not Be Ingested - Ignore Dangerous Social Media Posts
IN SHORT: Social media posts claim that colloidal silver has many uses and no adverse side effects when taken orally or topically. This is false, colloidal silver is not safe and… Read more »
July 31, 2023
South Africa: Photo Shows Damaged Road Section in South Africa, Not Nairobi, Kenya
A reverse image search of a photo of a badly cracked, imploded road reveals it was actually snapped in South Africa moments after a suspected underground gas explosion. It's not of… Read more »
July 20, 2023
South Africa: Still No Evidence for Ghost Stat About Schoolchildren's Access to Menstrual Products in South Africa
Menstrual products brand StayFree makes two big claims in its ads on social media, but there's very little research to back them up. Read more »
July 07, 2023
South Africa: Are There 15 Million Undocumented Immigrants in South Africa? No, Another ActionSA Party Member Repeats Old, Incorrect Claim
The claim that there are "15 million undocumented immigrants" in South Africa has been debunked several times. It is back on Twitter in July 2023, almost three years after it made… Read more »
June 28, 2023
South Africa: No, Video of Off-Road Car Taken By Flooded River Filmed in Nicaragua, Not South Africa
A video on social media shows a car carried away by floodwater as the driver struggles to escape. But this fatal incident took place in Nicaragua in Central America, not South… Read more »
June 27, 2023
South Africa: Beware! Govt Is Not Giving Away 10GB of Data to Every Household
IN SHORT: An offer of free data from the government could really help job seekers in their search. But in this case, these offers are a way for scammers to get your personal… Read more »
June 23, 2023
South Africa: No, Waivers for Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Holders Misunderstood
IN SHORT: South Africa's Department of Home Affairs has clarified that their approval of waiver applications are meant to allow Zimbabwe Exemption Permit holders in the country to… Read more »
May 31, 2023
South Africa: No Vampires Here - South Africans Don't Usually Pay for Blood Transfusions and Aren't Paid to Donate
IN SHORT: South Africans were understandably alarmed by rumours that they would have to pay over R3,000 per pint of blood if they needed a blood transfusion, even if they were… Read more »
South Africa: Don't Believe Images of Satanic Figures Reading to Children - 'Baphomet Book Club' Photos Are Ai-Generated
Artificial intelligence may lead to exciting innovation, but it also has a dark side. It's been used to generate images of children taking part in "satanic education rituals" which… Read more »
June 12, 2023
South Africa: Don't Fall for Unfounded Scare Claims About Measles Vaccination
An article by a prominent anti-vaccine campaigner in South Africa and widely circulated on social media makes many baseless claims. But even the hint of doubt could be enough to… Read more »
June 09, 2023
South Africa: No Evidence South Africa's Governing Party Will 'Load Shed' Essential Social Grants in 2024
IN SHORT: South Africa's temporary Covid relief grant benefits about 10 million people, but will end in March 2024. But this doesn't mean all social grants, for old people,… Read more »
Nigeria: Is Nokia Running a 'Hot' Phone Giveaway to Facebook Users in Nigeria and South Africa? No, Ignore Fake Account
IN SHORT: A Facebook page that claims to be running a phone giveaway by Nokia is a scam and not affiliated to the Nokia brand. The page uses a tactic called engagement bait to… Read more »
June 07, 2023
Africa: Factsheet - 'A Disease Nobody Should Die From' - What You Should Know About the Cholera Outbreak in South Africa
With over twenty dead at time of publication, the outbreak of the waterborne disease cholera has rattled an already battle-weary South Africa. What do the public need to know about… Read more »
May 30, 2023
South Africa: No, Apeel's Edible 'Peel' Won't 'Kill You Slowly' and Is Not Grown On Bill Gates's Farm
IN SHORT: Facebook posts have claimed that produce labelled "Apeel" should not be eaten. But Apeel's plant-based coating is safe and "designed to be consumed". Read more »
May 15, 2023
South Africa: No, the South African National Broadcaster Will Not Introduce Annual Car Radio Licences - 'Media Statement' Fabricated
IN SHORT: South Africa's national broadcaster has endured many a rocky year and much criticism from the public. So it's no surprise that a statement claiming to introduce annual… Read more »
May 04, 2023
South Africa: No Evidence Undocumented Immigrants 'Contribute Massively' to Crime and 'Nothing' to South Africa's Economy
Experts say there is no evidence that undocumented immigrants contribute disproportionately to South Africa's crime levels. Read more »
April 28, 2023
South Africa: No, Russian President Vladimir Putin Did Not Wish Former South African President Jacob Zuma Happy Birthday
IN SHORT: Much has been made of the South African government's close ties to Russia following news that the country will host Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2023. But images… Read more »
March 30, 2023
Nigeria: No Evidence South African Opposition Leader Julius Malema Called for Nigeria's Break-Up
IN SHORT: The result of Nigeria's presidential election is being challenged in court. But the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, did not suggest the country… Read more »