Fact-check: Picture of man with burning candles on head wasn’t taken in Juba

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The picture was not taken from Juba. It initially first shared in South Africa.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A Facebook post shared by Juba Media on 27th October 2023 claiming that a picture of a man with burning candles on his head was taken in Juba, South Sudan, is false. 

The post further claimed that a rich girlfriend did that to her poor boyfriend, questioning where the poor man would breathe in South Sudan. “In juba last night, a Rich girlfriend did this to her poor Boyfriend Where will the poor breath from in South Sudan ?” The post reads

The Facebook post shared by Juba Media has generated significant engagement with over 70 likes, 21 comments, and two shares. 

The screenshot of the Facebook post shared by Juba Media.

Claim Verification:

211 Check has conducted a Google reverse image search and discovered this claim is false. 

The picture was not taken in Juba and has no relation to South Sudan. The Individual in the picture have no reported connection to Juba.

The picture first appeared online in May 2019. It was reported to have been shared by a Facebook user of a Church in South Africa, according to BestNewsGH, Nairaland, and WithinNigeria blogs. 

The BestNewsGH initially posted the image with the heading, “Church burns candle on member’s head to deliver him from the spirit of homosexuality.” 

While Nairaland and WithinNigeria posted it with the heading “My parents took me to a Church to burn out the spirit of homosexuality – Man cries out” and “Man Cries Out As Church Burns Out The Spirit Of Homosexuality In Style”

Conclusion:

211 Check found the claim shared by Juba media regarding the picture of a man with burning candles on his head being taken in Juba false.

The source of the picture was South Africa, unrelated to South Sudan.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Some of these WhatsApp chain health tips aren’t scientifically proven

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There isn’t scientific proof to back some of these “important health tips”. 

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino 

A WhatsApp message circulating in groups and claiming to offer important health tips, such as answering phone calls with the left ear instead of the right one, is misleading. 

According to the message, people should adhere to the following:

-Answer phone calls with the left ear

-Do not eat heavy meals after 5 p.m.

-Drink more water in the morning and less at night

-The best sleeping time is from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

-Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine or after meals.

-When the phone’s battery is low to the last bar, do not answer the phone because the radiation is 1000 times stronger.

The WhatsApp message reiterates that people should forward the message to loved ones because “Kindness costs nothing, but knowledge is power.” 

Screenshot from the WhatsApp message

The message has seemingly been circulating for a while and was also shared on Quora in 2015, on Facebook on March 11, 2017, and then on June 23, 2020 here. 

Claims Verification:

Claim 1: Answering phone calls with the left ear.

No scientific evidence suggests that using your left ear while talking on cell phones is better than using your right ear.

In a 2014 factsheet, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that “a large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones can have potential health risks, but no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.’

In addition, Africa Check fact-checked this claim and found it to be incorrect.

Claim 2: Do not take medicine with cold water

The same claim has also been posted here.  It says cold water reduces digestion and, as a result, makes the effect of the medicine take longer.

According to the findings by 211 Check, this claim is true: Future of Nursing (Nurselk), cold water will reduce digestion, and the medicine will take more time to act.

Claim 3: Do not eat heavy meals after 5 p.m. 

This claim is highly controversial as food consumption habits impact different people in varied ways depending on factors such as health conditions. In some cases, heavy meals closer to bedtime reduce the body’s rate of metabolism, while in other cases, depending on the nutrition and fitness goals, it could be beneficial. 

According to the Family Doctors Organization, during the eating window (time allowed for eating), the focus should be on eating a healthy diet and maintaining portion control. 

Claim 4: Drink more water in the morning and less at night:

Healthline, a medically reviewed website, noted that as long as one can compensate for the body’s water loss, it doesn’t make much of a difference whether you start your day off with a glass of water or drink it at any other time of day. 

Similarly, according to clevelandclinic.org water is essential to keep your body hydrated and joints lubricated, break down waste, and much more, but there isn’t an ideal time for your water intake unless it frequently interrupts your sleep if you consume more water close to bedtime. 

Various medical sites, here, here and here, also advise that thirst alone should be enough to guide most people on how much to drink, and not necessarily the time of water consumption. 

Claim 5: The best sleeping time is from 10 pm to 4 am.

According to VeryWell Health, ‘The amount of sleep you need each night changes over the course of your life. Therefore, your age can help you figure out what time you should go to bed to feel refreshed and able to function optimally during the day.’

Additionally, according to Dr. Colleen G. Lance, a physician in the Sleep Disorders Centre at the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic,  “there’s not a magic number that someone has to adhere to. It has to do with what your personal need is, and everyone has a different need.’’

So, while 10 p.m. may be ideal for others, instead of focusing on the digits on your alarm clock, Dr Lance says consistency should be your goal.

Other sources found here, here, and here also support the sentiment that it is better to be consistent with going to bed and waking up at a certain time for better sleep quality.

Claim 6: Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine or after meals.

Johns Hopkins Medicine published an article with the headline Medicines and the Digestive System,where they explain many good practices for taking medicine and some dangers that taking medicine can have. They particularly explain that people should not take medicine and lie down immediately when the tablets are still in the oesophagus to avoid heartburn.

Claim 7: When the phone’s battery is low to the last bar, do not answer the phone because the radiation is 1000 times stronger.

211 Check has found out that mobile phones communicate by sending radio waves through a network of antennas. The US National Cancer Institute says they emit radiation in the radiofrequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum, but the frequency and energy are considered ‘too low to damage DNA’. It also adds that ‘there are no other clearly established dangerous health effects on the human body from radiofrequency radiation.’

Further, the World Health Organization says there are no known adverse health effects associated with low-level, long-term exposure to radiofrequency or power frequency fields.

In addition, this particular claim has been fact-checked by AAP Fact-check, Australia and found to be false.

211 Check also reached out to Dr. Francis Geri, the Executive Director of Vital Care Medical and an Obstetrician and a Gynaecologist at the Juba Teaching Hospital who corroborated the evidence above: “Most of the health claims are scientifically unproven, but number 2 and 6 are true. Typically, taking medicine with very cold water can affect how the medicine works and laying down immediately after taking medicine may cause heartburn or may cause the patient to vomit.’’

Conclusion: 

211 Check finds that four claims listed in a WhatsApp message “Important Health Tips” scientifically unproven; however, two of the claims number 2 and 6 are found to be true. The claim is a long-running social media hoax spreading misinformation.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Courtesy Photo

Explainer: Implications and Significance of South Sudan Archbishop Ameyu being made a cardinal

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Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Juba, Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, has become the first-ever Cardinal from South Sudan since the country gained independence in 2011

The Pope named Stephen Ameyu during a noontime Sunday prayer from St. Peter’s Square on 09 July 2023 alongside 20 other clergymen worldwide. They became cardinals in a ceremony held on 30 September 2023.

Stephen Ameyu says that his selection as a Cardinal is a testament to the church’s work, recognised by Pope Francis. He underlined the importance of their ongoing efforts and the hope they instil in South Sudan’s people.

“There are many expectations of us. For example, what does my appointment as a Cardinal mean for the Catholic Church in South Sudan? It is simply the continuation of the work we have been doing that the Holy Father has witnessed the face of God’s people in South Sudan. This appointment shines a spotlight on us, particularly most young people, and we are grateful for the recognition,” Archbishop Ameyu asserted.

The appointment of South Sudan Archbishop Stephen Ameyu as a cardinal by the pope carries several implications and significance. Here are some key points:

  1. Recognition of Leadership and Service: The appointment of Archbishop Ameyu as a cardinal is a recognition of his leadership, service, and dedication to the Catholic Church. It acknowledges his contributions to the Church and his commitment to peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.
  1. Representation of South Sudan: Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment is significant for South Sudan as it highlights the importance of the region and the Catholic Church’s presence there. It provides a platform for Cardinal Ameyu to advocate for the needs and concerns of the people of South Sudan at the highest levels of the Church.
  1. Role in the College of Cardinals: As a cardinal, Archbishop Ameyu becomes a member of the College of Cardinals, which is responsible for advising the pope and participating in the election of a new pope when the position becomes vacant. Cardinals play a crucial role in shaping the policies and direction of the Catholic Church.
  1. Influence in Church Affairs: Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment gives him a more excellent voice and power in Church affairs. He can contribute to discussions and decision-making processes within the Church, particularly on issues related to South Sudan and Africa.
  1. Symbol of Hope: In a country that has faced significant challenges, including tribalism and conflict, Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment serves as a symbol of hope and encouragement for the people of South Sudan. It highlights the Church’s commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the nation’s well-being.
  1. Representation of Diversity: Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment reflects the Catholic Church’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. He is one of the few cardinals from Africa and the first cardinal from South Sudan. This diversity brings different perspectives and experiences to the College of Cardinals.

The appointment of South Sudan Archbishop Stephen Ameyu as a cardinal holds great significance for the Catholic Church, South Sudan, and the African continent. It recognises his leadership, provides a platform for advocacy, and symbolises hope for a country striving for peace and stability.

Will Stephen Ameyu have to leave his archbishop position?

No, Stephen Ameyu will not have to leave his position as Archbishop of Juba in South Sudan due to his appointment as a cardinal. 

The role of a cardinal is an additional responsibility within the Catholic Church hierarchy, and it does not require the individual to step down from their current position. Cardinal Ameyu will continue to serve as the Archbishop of Juba while also fulfilling his duties as a cardinal.

The appointment of a cardinal does not automatically result in a change of position or location for the individual. Cardinals are often chosen from existing bishops or archbishops who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the Church. In this case, Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment recognises his contributions to the Catholic Church in South Sudan and his role as the Archbishop of Juba.

Therefore, Cardinal Ameyu will continue to carry out his responsibilities as the Archbishop of Juba while also participating in the broader responsibilities and duties associated with being a cardinal.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Is this a photo of Juba, South Sudan?

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No, the photo is of Nairobi, Kenya. 

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

A Facebook post with an image purporting to show Juba, South Sudan, is false.

The image, which shows an urban location with tall buildings, was posted by a Facebook page, Ruweng Eye, on 9 October 2023 with  a post that read: ‘Somewhere in Juba, South Sudan.’ 

The post attracted several comments with differing opinions on where the image was taken, prompting 211 Check to investigate.

Screenshot of the post from the Facebook page

Claim Verification:

211 Check carried out a reverse search on the picture using Google Lens, which returned several instances where the image has been shared as being of Nairobi, Kenya. 

For instance, in February 2021, the image was featured in an article by  developingtelecoms.com titled: “Opera Pilots dedicated chat service in Kenya.” 

Similarly, in July 2020, Ghana Medicals shared the same picture with a headline: “Things are elephant: the effects on COVID-19 in Nairobi low-income areas.”

A screenshot from the website of Ghana Medicals.

The image has also been shared here, here and here on articles referencing Nairobi, Kenya. 

here here

Nairobi is Kenya’s political and economic capital and also the largest city. The name ‘Nairobi’ comes from the Maasai phrase’ Enkare Nyrobi’, which translates to ‘cool water.’

Juba, on the other hand, is one of the world’s newest cities and became South Sudan’s capital when the nation became independent on July 9, 2011. Juba is located on the white Nile River and is the largest city in South Sudan.  

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the post false and misleading. The picture is of Nairobi, Kenya and not Juba, South Sudan. 

This fact check was published by 211 Check with technical support from Code for Africa’s  PesaCheck newsdesk through the African Fact-Checking Alliance(AFCA).

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

ALTERED: This image of Cairo Tower in Egypt displaying the Palestine flag is manipulated

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The original image dates back to 2010 and doesn’t feature the Palestine flag.

Writer: PesaCheck

This image on Facebook, purportedly of the Cairo Tower in Egypt displaying the Palestine flag, is ALTERED.

The image is accompanied by a text that reads, “Cairo Tower is decorated with the Palestinian flag. Here is Cairo,, here is Palestine.”

The claim was shared amid ongoing armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which broke out on 7 October 2023.

A Google search for the keywords “Cairo Tower images” established the image in question was altered.

The original image is available on Wikimedia Commons with the description, “Cairo Tower at Night.”

It was uploaded on 3 February 2010 and is attributed to Ahmed Santos.

A side by side comparison of the altered image and the original one reveals similarities between the two, including the moon’s shape and position. The background colour of the sky and the outline of the trees at the bottom are other similarities.

The original image is also available on the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) website alongside other images of Cairo Tower, and is attributed to Santos.

There are no reports from a credible source of the Cairo Tower displaying the Palestine flag in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

PesaCheck has looked into an image shared on Facebook purportedly of the Cairo Tower in Egypt displaying the Palestine flag, and finds it to be ALTERED.

This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

MISSING CONTEXT: This video claiming a tiny fragment of HIV was added to a COVID-19 vaccine has been misrepresented

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The vaccine by the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia was never rolled out, as the project was abandoned in December 2020.

Writer: PesaCheck

This Facebook post with a video claiming a tiny fragment of HIV was added to a COVID-19 vaccine is MISSING CONTEXT.

The post reads, “A tiny fragment of HIV” added to vaccine.”

The video begins with the narrator saying: “Science gone absolutely mad,” while text overlaid on the 44-second clip reads: “Did she just say they added a tiny fragment of hiv? Wtf! We want answers!!! Yes she said HIV.”

Another Facebook post with a screenshot from the video reads, “So whose had the covid jab bet u didn’t now this , wtf (sic)”.

A reverse image search of a screenshot from the video on Yandex established that the person featured at the end of the clip is Keith Chappell, a professor at the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia, during a BBC interview.

In the clip, Chappel says that the protein used is of “a highly stable structure” and that there is no risk of “HIV replicating”.

A Google keyword search for “covid vaccine with HIV fragment” established that the UQ and global biotech company CSL were developing a vaccine that included a fragment of an HIV protein with the view of adding stability to the intended antibody target; the spike protein of the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

However, the claim in question leaves out crucial information on the vaccine.

Testing of participants in phase 1 of the trials in July 2020 did not find any evidence of the HIV virus present, and thus participants were not at risk.

Further, the UQ vaccine was abandoned in December 2020 after some trial participants returned false-positive results for HIV. For this reason, the vaccine was not rolled out for use by the general public.

PesaCheck has looked into a Facebook post with a video claiming a tiny fragment of HIV was added to a COVID-19 vaccine and finds it to be MISSING CONTEXT.

This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Fact-check: Is the World Food Programme giving out $800,000 to organisations?  

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No, it is a hoax. WFP is not giving out any cash transfers, as an impostor website claims. 

Writer: Rufina Isaac

WhatsApp messages claiming the World Food Programme (WFP) is giving cash assistance are a hoax.

The link claims to be from the World Food Programme and provides cash assistance through a questionnaire, after which one will get up to $800.00. 

Screenshot of the link being circulated on WhatsApp

On clicking the link, a congratulations message appears with a picture of a man who is seen to be handing a woman some papers. This is the beginning of the questionnaire, though, whereby they ask whether you know WFP, your age bracket, gender, and how you feel about WFP. 

At this point, a congratulatory message opens with nine boxes where you are meant to choose one lucky boc with the price. After all this, you are meant to share it with five groups or 20 people.

Screenshot of the webpage for the link solicited on WhatsApp

Claim Verification:

With all suspicion, 211 Check investigated the link, scanning the URL using online Virus Total. This free online tool helps you determine the safety of links to online viruses and other scams. Six security vendors flagged the URL as malicious, phishing, and suspicious. 

       Screenshot of the virus total of the claimed URL.

Another scan was run through Whois.com, a publicly available database containing domain name registration information. A search for both websites returns two different results, as seen here and here, the second being the genuine website for the World Food Programme.

Specifically, the link for World Food Programme Cash Transfers explains everything clearly without needing to answer any questionnaire.

Whois Information for the fake domain claiming to be WFP

The original WFP domain is wfp.org, which was registered in 1994. 

The original website of WFP Cash Transfers 

Conclusion:

211 Check finds a WhatsApp message with a link claiming to be for the World Food Programme providing cash assistance through a questionnaire, a hoax. 

Findings show that the link is embedded with phishing, malicious, and suspicious malware intended to steal people’s information for fraud. Be cautious of such websites and only apply for vacancies through the official website for organisations, in this case, wfp.org for the World Food Programme website.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Is this image of a hippo and a shark on the road during Kampala’s recent floods legitimate?

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No, the picture has been digitally manipulated and is satirical.

Writer:  Nancy Ceasar 

An image of a flooded road with a car, a hippopotamus, a shark, and people on a boat shared on Facebook and claimed to be from Kampala has been altered. 

The image was shared on September 11, 2023, with a post partly in Luganda that reads:

“In case you don’t know, this is Kampala after raining wetwogerako mbu tribalism (when we talk about something, they say it’s tribalism).”

The post attracted 600 likes, 306 comments, and 68 shares.

Screenshot of the picture  posted

The premise of the statement appears to be the recent Kampala floods and Uganda’s recent politics that are marred with accusations and counter-accusations from the government and the opposition, especially the National Unity Platform (NUP), accusing each other of being tribalistic, as seen here, here and here. 

The image has also been shared here. 

Claim Verification:

211 Check investigated the picture using Google lens reverse search, which brought the original picture as previously posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The original picture, shared by Daily Monitor on 11th September 2023, shows the car driving through a flooded road. The picture was accompanied by a post that reads: “Motorists wade through a flooded section of 7th street in Kampala industrial area after the Monday morning downpour.”

Screenshot of the picture from X [ formerly known as Twitter]of Daily Monitor.

From the photo, it is clear that the other elements in the photo were digitally added to advance a particular context. 

Further,sharks typically live in oceans to a depth of 2000 metres but can go lower. 

On the other hand, hippopotamus live in rivers and lakes throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They seek refuge from the heat by living in water during the day, and at night they come to the shore to feed on grass and fallen fruits. It is, therefore, unlikely that they would be found in such a scenario. 

A further review using ‘Image Edited?’ also revealed that the image under verification had probably been edited as the pixels only matched software editors.

Kampala floods:

Uganda’s capital, Kampala, has been experiencing recurrent floods after increased rains in areas around the Lake Victoria Basin. This has caused flooding in many parts of the city, as reported here, here and here. 

According to Ugandan outlet New Vision, for September until December this year, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority said above normal (enhanced) rainfall is expected over several parts of Uganda, especially over the Lake Victoria Basin, the hilly areas of Rwenzori, and the Eastern region. 

Conclusion:

The image of a flooded road with a hippopotamus, a shark, and people on a boat shared on Facebook and claimed to be from Kampala has been altered. Sharks and hippos only live in large water bodies.  

This fact check was published by 211 Check  with technical support from Code for Africa’s  PesaCheck newsdesk through the African Fact-Checking Alliance(AFCA).

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Is this a beachside road in Zimbabwe?

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No, this picture is of Marqala Beach in Tangier, Morocco.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A picture making rounds on Facebook and WhatsApp claiming to show a road section in Zimbabwe is false and misleading.

The picture was shared by a Facebook user on September 12, 2023, with an accompanying post that read: “The Zimbabwe they will not show you on social media. ”

It generated massive engagement from the public, with 59K reactions, 6,500 comments, and 4,000 shares. However, some comments criticised the post, saying that Zimbabwe is landlocked without an ocean. Others mentioned that the picture was of South Africa, and yet others, Morocco. 

A screenshot of the post on Facebook

The picture was also shared in a WhatsApp group with a similar caption:

“This is how our cost line should look, and even better. From Entebbe Airport to Luzia Portbell (along Lake Victoria), the advantage of bordering the lake should  come with improved infrastructure along its shores. This is Zimbabwe, which they do not show you in the news (sic).” 

The screenshot of the claim as shared on the WhatsApp group

211 Check also found a Facebook post by Burundi Actu from 2020 bearing the same image. The post is in Kinyarwanda, which, when translated to English, means: “The picture shows how the #Bujumbura-#Rumonge road will be built in 2040. The construction has been completed #Burundi”

Claim Verification 

211 Check ran a Google Reverse Image Search to verify the claim and found that the picture is of Marqala/Merkala Beach in Tangier, Morocco. 

Among the results are various instances where the image has been attributed to Morocco, as seen in this Moroccan travel website.  The image has also been used similarly to showcase tourist attractions in Tangier, Morocco, as seen here. 

The beach can also be seen in this Youtube video whose title translates to: ‘My country’s beaches: Markala Beach, Tangier Ep:2 (plage markala).’

A search on Google Maps for the keywords ‘Marqala Tangier Beach, Morocco,’ clearly returns its location on the map in northern Morocco, with multiple pictures of the beach, where the image under scrutiny is also featured.

A screenshot of one of the views seen from Google Maps 

A further search on Google Travel brings up more images of the beach taken from different angles and marked as Merkala/Marqala Beach in Tangier. 

In addition, several other sites have shared the photo, attributing it to Morocco such as here, here, here, here and here. 

Does Zimbabwe have beaches?

In the post, the author claims this beach is in Zimbabwe, a landlocked country. However, they did not mention the specific name of the place. 

A Google word search of keywords: Does Zimbabwe have beaches? returned that there are a few beaches, but it has only one such expansive beach: Binga Beach, found on Lake Kariba. However, the pictures of the beach are different from the image under scrutiny. 

Conclusion:

The picture making the rounds on Facebook and WhatsApp groups claiming it was taken in Zimbabwe is false. The picture is of Marqala Beach in Tangier, Morocco.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with technical support from Code for Africa’s  PesaCheck newsdesk through the African Fact-Checking Alliance (AFCA).

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Did doctors in the U.S. find new cancer in human beings caused by silver nitro oxide?

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The compound silver nitro oxide does not exist, and there is no proven evidence to show that the silver coating on recharge cards causes skin cancer.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A WhatsApp message being forwarded to groups claiming that doctors in the United States had found new cancer in human beings caused by silver nitro oxide is false. 

The claim, which emphasises that people forward the message widely, also claims that recharge cards contain a silver nitro oxide coating, which can cause skin cancer. 

“WhatsApp is free, so share it, please. Please read and forward this. 

Doctors in the United States have found new cancer in human beings, caused by Silver Nitro Oxide.  Whenever you buy recharge cards, don’t scratch your nails, as they contain Silver Nitro Oxide coating and can cause skin cancer. Share this message with your loved ones,” reads the WhatsApp message.

The screenshot of the WhatsApp claim

The same claim was also posted here (archived here) on October 3rd, 2023, and here (archived here) in 2021.

Further queries on Facebook about “Silver Nitro Oxide” returned that the claim was shared here and here years ago.

Claim Verification:

A keyword search on Google using “Doctors in the United States have found new cancer in human beings” returned that the same claim was fact-checked by the AFP in 2020 and found to be false. 

From the results, any information about discoveries does not mention any cancer caused by silver nitro oxide.

211 Check also found a report by The New Indian Express that debunked the same claim in 2016.

Again, a keyword search on Google for “Silver Nitro Oxide” returned another fact-check report that debunked the claim as a hoax.

Further, there is no chemical substance called “Silver Nitro Oxide,” according to PubChem and ChemSpider, which are databases for chemical information. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet light (radiation) from the sun or artificial sources like devices (tanning beds) that emit ultraviolet radiation.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2014 on recharge card coatings in Nigeria showed that silver coatings of major recharge cards contained high levels of heavy metals such as iron, zinc, copper, nickel cadmium, lead, silver, chromium, manganese.

However, the study noted that ‘despite the high concentration of the metals in the coating, the health risk index (HRI) indicated that the users of mobile phones recharge cards could only experience low health risk associated with these metals. 

The study also noted that long-term exposure could be a source of worry. It recommended that regular washing of hands after scratching off coatings on the recharge cards should be practised to avoid food contamination.

Additionally, a 2018 study by the Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological, and Chemical Sciences (RJPBCS) on heavy metals concentrations in mobile phone recharge cards in Iraq indicated high levels of heavy metals in recharge cards. The study recommended that blunt razor blades or any special scraper should be used instead of fingernails so as not to contaminate foods and drinks and avoid ingestion. 

However, both studies did not link the compound used on scratch cards to skin cancer. 

211 Check also contacted a Juba-based Medical Officer, Case Thomas Nicholas, who works with the German Leprosy Association, for comment. According to Nicholas, the claim is unfounded, and silver nitrooxide does not exist among carcinogenic substances.

“The claims about silver nitro oxide are wide off the mark. Such claims are unfounded and must be disregarded. The silver nitro oxide doesn’t exist as people say and it’s not related to any cancer cause. People talked of nitrous oxide and nitric oxide but none are found to cause any form of cancer. Just know that the list of carcinogenic substances doesn’t include silver nitro oxide because it [silver nitro oxide] doesn’t exist,” wrote Nicholas in response to the query.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that doctors in the United States found new cancer in human beings caused by silver nitro oxide is false. The compound silver nitro oxide does not exist, and there is no proven evidence to show that the silver coating on recharge cards causes skin cancer. 

This fact check was published by 211 Check with technical support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck newsdesk through the African Fact-Checking Alliance (AFCA).

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