Misinformation that is purposely created to spread fear, cause panic, and has the potential to cause individual or communal harm.

Radio Miraya misquotes Yei Commissioner, tweeted that Yei airstrip lounge project will cost $600,000

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Author: 211 Check Editorial Team

Intensive investigative findings have revealed that UN radio misquoted Yei Commissioner over the local airstrip construction project.

On Wednesday this week, Radio Miraya tweeted that the construction work of Yei airstrip lounge would cost $600,000.

The below tweet caused uproar on social media, with many South Sudanese netizens criticizing why a small construction project would cost such a huge amount of money. 

The criticisms surfaced intensively on social media when pictures of the airstrip lounge’s foundation work emerged on Facebook and Twitter.

The project also left many online users wanting to know the details of the company contracted by the government to implement such a controversial project. 

Miraya’s misleading tweet

But when fact-checked, it was identified that the lounge construction cost is not worth $600,000, as reported by Radio Miraya.

Yei River County Commissioner, Aggrey Cyrus told Radio Miraya in an interview that the $600,000 included subsequent expansion and upgrade of the Yei airstrip to an airport, not only the pre-boarding facility (waiting lounge).

In addition, Tent Makers International – a religious company contracted by the government, refuted the claims that it was offered $600,000 for the project. It, however, revealed that it is using its own cash to construct a preliminary waiting lounge, as it continues to lobby for huge funds to implement the whole project. 

TMI’s statement over the issue

In a recent fact-check issued by Radio Miraya an hour ago, the media house said the lounge is estimated to cost $30,000 for a space provided to sit 50 air-passengers, according to the Archbishop Evangelical Presbyterian Church – a fact contrary to the first statement which stated that the lounge would accommodate 60 travelers.

Miraya’s Fact Check

South Sudan’s ambassador to China isn’t suffering from AstraZeneca vaccine complications

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Author: Garang Abraham

South Sudan’s ambassador to China John Andruga Duku is appealing to the public to disregard the trending news that he is suffering from AstraZeneca vaccine related complications after receiving the jab.

According to a Facebook post seen by 211 Check, It’s alleged that Amb. Andruga is admitted at a Nairobi hospital after suffering from complications related to AstraZeneca jab, he took days.

“Oxford AstraZeneca doses need to be investigated for its safety and immunogenicity. See what happens to South Sudan ambassador to China #John Andruga Duku after receiving the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab” reads the misleading post shared by some online Alternative Media houses and other Facebook and WhatsApp users.

The below image bears the deceptive post.

Misleading post

However, when fact-checked, the posts were identified as misleading and fabricated content, as explained below.

Facts why the posts are misleading.

Fact No. 1

Ambassador John Andruga who was discharged recently from Nairobi Hospital is suffering from varicose veins, not from jab’s complications as stated.

“I had surgery on both legs due to bilateral varicose veins with multiple incompetent perforations with a statis ulcer. As a result emergency bilateral multiple ligations and stripping of the varicose veins was done.

“Prof Dr.John Adwok referred me to Dr John  K. Karuiki  who acted promptly with Dr J. Gohl  performed successfuly emergency surgery. I am now recovering at home with my family in Nairobi. Due high medical bill, I am discharged to continue medication from home” Amb. Andruga told 211 Check this afternoon.

Fact No. 2

According to Amb. Andruga, he has not received any Covid-19 vaccination.

“I did not get any of the vaccine of Covid-19 up to now. The causes for the swelling on by each leg was explained by the doctors as bilateral varicose veins with multiple incompetent perforations with statis ulcer” Amb. Andruga added.

Fact No. 3 About the sickness he is suffering from

According to pictures seen and narratives received by 211 Check, Andruga’ illness isn’t associated with any Covid-19 vaccine conditions. As he stated in his message, the sickness is purely correct and relevant, according to our online findings from prominent global medical schools and institutions.

According to Wikipedia: Varicose veins, also known as varicoses, are a medical condition in which superficial veins become enlarged and twisted. These veins typically develop in the legs, just under the skin. Varicose veins usually cause few symptoms.

EVIDENCE: You can compare and contrast Wikipedia’s image bearing short details of varicose veins, with pictures bearing Amb. Andruga’s feet taken at Nairobi Hospital. The conditions varicose veins in both images are similar.

Wikipedia’s short details of Varicose veins
Ambassador’s feet due to varicose veins

Ambassador goes mad over information sharing: Amb. John claims that a renowned journalist working in a top government office shared his pictures without consent, lamenting ill-intentions towards him.

“I was surprised who put the pictures, why and how did the person get the pictures which I sent privately to my Minister to inform her despite surgery and swelling of both my legs” said angry Andruga.

Ambassador goes live to address the speculations: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O-gKk9lgatiuX3fjul67kghT1MEZYzdO

#FactsMatter, don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback.

Hoax Alert: Madam Atong Foundation Scholarship is a scam, don’t apply!

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Author: 211 Check editorial team

Rigorous findings carried out by 211 Check crew have identified the notorious online Madam Atong Foundation Scholarship as fraud and deceitful page established to scam desperate South Sudanese and Sudanese students seeking scholarships online.  

According the investigations, a Facebook page named “Sudanese Scholarship 2020-2025.Madam Atong Foundation” has been making announcements bearing ‘fully funded’ scholarships to South Sudanese and Sudanese Students to study abroad.

The fraud page was created on July 27, 2020, and is primarily managed by three people in Uganda.

It on Sunday [23rd of May] made another announcement calling for applicants to seek scholarship abroad. The below screenshot bears the call for applications.

However, when fact-checked by 211 Check, the so-called “Madam Atong Foundation” is untruthful platform intended to extract money from anxious students in search of scholarship opportunities to study abroad.

Below are facts that show the page is a fraud.

Fact #1: No legitimate website and physical location

The so-called foundation doesn’t have a legitimate website from which its ‘the about information’ can be obtained. Though, the scammers claim to have a physical location at Bungoma district (a Kenyan border town neighboring Uganda) next to Electoral Commission Building, they don’t actually have an office there.

Fact #2: No legal existence

When 211 Check contacted the Uganda NGO Bureau, the prominent NGO institution said it not aware of such an organization. Refugee authorities have also denied working with Madam Atong Foundation that claims it offers scholarships to mainly to refugees in Uganda. In addition, Uganda’s list of non-governmental organizations operated in Uganda, Madam Atong Foundation can not be mentioned

Fact #3: Weaponized context:

Most of the images used on their Facebook Page are not in any way related to events of a so-called “Madam Atong Foundation”. Through Reverse Image Search, most of the pictures are of different events not of their activities as claimed. For example, one of the images used by the foundation, describing students to be lining for scholarship procedures in its office, is an image of truck drivers entering Kenya queue to be tested for Covid-19. The picture was taken by Brain Inganga, United States Associated Press journalist. See the below image to verify.

Fact #4: No Application Fully Funded Scholarships

As we all know, application processes for fully funded scholarships don’t need money. However, when contacted, the Madam Atong Foundation demanded cash of about $200 at the initial stages, even before you see the application form.

They usually want the money to be sent via MTN Uganda via Mobile Money to +256770671123 registered with the ANNE THEREZA KIGENI. Below are the contacts of institutions the organization requires the cash to be sent through. Its unfortunate Uganda’s prominent Centenary Bank is mentioned as well.

Fact #5: Errors in communication

Most of the communication shared by the administrators of this foundation have misspellings and grammatical mistakes – something a legitimate and reputable organization rarely commit.

Conclusion:

211 Check deep research findings suggest that there is no organization such as Madam Atong Foundation anywhere in the world. This is just a fake/fraud page designed to extract money from people who may fall victims.

Don’t be misled, don’t misinform others, avoid sharing such scams. Share this story with your network in order to save others from being scammed.  

To know more about fact checking, visit www.211check.org. Present a claim or rumor, it will be fact-checked, verified and immediately and resend back in a timely manner.

Scam Alert: Toyota Is Not Celebrating its 80th Anniversary!

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

211 Check investigations have identified the trending message [link] about Toyota’s 80th Anniversary Celebration and the giveaway of a Toyota Corolla being sent to numerous internet users on various social media platforms as a scam.

The new online fraud popular on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram, is being received by many online users via cellphone.

Analyzed by 211 Check, the message urges the recipients to click the link and be part of Toyota’s 80 Anniversary Celebration and get a chance to win a luxurious Toyota car.

Our investigations have clearly identified the message as an online fraud. Find out below why it is!

Protection and Safety: Don’t click or proceed with the contest, because your account might be compromised or you might be lured into a fake scam dealing. Avoid this link: http://jtyjdg.ymmtwq.cn/fengtian/index.php#1621339177652

Why is this Toyota 80th Anniversary Celebration contest a scam?

SCAM AWARD MESSAGE

For some online users wondering what qualifies the above message to be a scam, below are tips of classifying facts about online fraud.

Fact #1: The link is highly suspicious.

If you closely look at the link, it goes to http://1s7wttd.nodxteh.cn which is not an original or official Toyota Company’s website link or domain.

The links moves from one website to another, which 211 Check observed were unrelated Chinese-registered (.cn) domains.

In addition, the above link is not Encrypted, which would start with https://. Note: legitimate websites will use SSL-Encrypted links (with HTTPS, not HTTP). When you see such links, DO NOT CLICK on them.

Fact #2: Toyota’s 80th Anniversary was in 2017

Toyota Company was established on August 28 1937. The company celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2017.

Below is the Toyota Motor Corp tweet published August 28, 2017.

Fact #3: Toyota is in the business of selling cars

According to reliable facts online, Toyota Company is in the business of selling cars, but not giving them away for free as stipulated in the scam.

Facts states that the company has never offered a single car at free cost, when it celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2017.

Fact #4: The page has so many troubling clues

If you click on the link, you will be led to this page, claiming you will get a free gift with Toyota… and a chance to win a Toyota Corolla – a page that is full of grammatical mistakes, something an actual Toyota website would not have, because prominent companies such as Toyota hire professionals staff.

When you click on the comments of people who claimed to have won the Toyota Corolla, the links don’t take you to any reliable web. Our analysis shows that the messages are all ‘FAKE’ placed there to lure you.

In addition, if you check the code of the comments, you can see that all comments and pictures were manually inserted on the web.

Fact #5: You will always win the car

You can try the contest any number of times, and you will ALWAYS win the car.

Why? Because the next step involves you sharing this with 5 groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp. So, no matter how many times you participate, you will ALWAYS win the free Toyota Corolla. Do you think that’s the case with a real contest? Off course NO!

Fact #6: Website information through Whois Search

The WHOIS information of the imposter website reveals it was registered on June 17, 2020, in China by Sichuan Domain Fun Network Technology Co., Ltd., while the legitimate Toyota Website (https://www.toyota.com/) was registered on December 29th, 1994 by Toyota Motor Sales, USA – a big research that qualifies the message and website was scams.

CLEAR WHOIS FINDINGS

Conclusion:

It is cleared that the Toyota 80th Anniversary is a SCAM, NOT LEGIT. If you receive such messages, kindly ignore them and alert others about such online fraud threats. Secondly, don’t share or proceed beyond this page.

HOMEPAGE OF FAKE WEB

Note: To avoid spreading false information, avoid rushing into sharing information that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know more about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback.

Fact Checked: Did AU and MTN donate expired Covid-19 vaccines to S. Sudan?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

Health officials have confirmed that the 59,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines donated by the African Union, Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and MTN were not expired as perceived by many South Sudanese.

Earlier this week, a prominent South Sudanese activist claimed that MTN that the African Union donated expired AstraZeneca vaccines to South Sudan.

 “So MTN donated for us expired 59,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. We would’ve put such a huge number of people lives under risk. Big thanks to our medical experts for realizing and acting very fast. Kudos!” reads the Facebook post.

Activist’s Facebook post

Another tweet on 18th April by a prominent comedian, who has 5,920 followers on Twitter in a fun-related manner also did state that the AstraZeneca vaccines donated by MTN to South Sudan were expired.

“So, @MTNSSD donated expired vaccines to South Sudan? Did they think they were donating data bundles?” reads the tweet.

Comedian’s Tweet

Are contents shared above true? NO!

It is identified by 211 Check that the over 59,000 AstraZeneca Vaccines donated by the African Union, Africa CDC, and MTN arrived on Monday, 29th March 2021 to South Sudan, and were received by Ministry of Health’s Undersecretary Mayen Machut and MTN South Sudan Chief Executive Officer Gordian Kyomukama at Juba International Airport.

When contacted by 211 Check, a National Health Ministry official said the vaccines were supposed to be administered to over 29,000 healthcare workers across South Sudan.

So what happened?

On Tuesday April 13, 2021, an official from the Ministry of Health told Reuters News Agency that the vaccines expired and will not be used.

As can be seen in the below picture, the vaccines were manufactured on 16th October, 2020 and expired on 13th April, 2021.

Dr. Atem Riak Anyoun is the Director General for Primary Healthcare at the Ministry of Health.

As part of his job description, he oversees vaccine deployment across the country.

Dr. Atem confirmed to 211 Check on Friday that the 59,283 doses of the vaccines donated by the African Union and MTN on Monday, 29th March 2021 expired on 13th April 2021 and will not be used.

“The vaccines from MTN have expired on the 13th of April. We are not using any expired vaccines at all. When a vaccine expires, it will not be used and that is it” said Atem.

Note: This means that the AstraZeneca vaccines donated to South Sudan by the African Union, Africa CDC and MTN expired in the country two weeks after arrival.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 Incident Manager Dr. Richard Laku told journalists at the weekly media briefing on Sunday that they could not use the vaccines because the Drug and Food Control Authority doesn’t allow the use of medicines with such a short shelf lifespan.

SEE OUR FIRST FACT CHECK ON THE VACCINE EXPIRATION

Which vaccines are being used in South Sudan now?

The health authorities say they are currently using the 132,000 doses of the first batch of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines obtained directly from the COVAX facility last month. These vaccines are also expected to expire in July.

What is the safe lifespan of the AstraZeneca vaccines?

According to AstraZeneca, the vaccine can be stored, transported, and handled at normal refrigerated conditions (two-eight degrees Celsius/36-46 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least six months and administered within existing healthcare settings.

https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2021/covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-confirms-protection-against-severe-disease-hospitalisation-and-death-in-the-primary-analysis-of-phase-iii-trials.html

#FactsMatter, let’s fight the spread of Covid-19 misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. Don’t fall victim of fake news.

Note: To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback.

Fact Checked: Did President Kiir resigned and ran to Bor?

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Author: Viola Elias

A misleading post!

Juba Television – unregulated online media house with 211,184 followers a few hours ago posted that President Salva Kiir resigned and ran to Bor Town.  

“Breaking News: South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has resigned and run to Bor. This is a developing story” reads Juba TV post that has 376 likes, 167 comments and 16 shared by 2:30 CAT today.

When fact checked by 211, it was identified that the information is misleading and fake content which might/can harm the public.

According to Eye Radio official Facebook page, Press Secretary – Ateny Wek Ateny said President Kiir is in Bor on an official visit.

“It is an official visit to see things for himself starting from inspecting the road….and to see how people in Bor are copping after the flooding” said Ateny.

Here is the link to Eye Radio story: https://eyeradio.org/kiirs-bor-visit-is-political-economic-ateny/.  

According to Ateny, President Kiir is expected to return to Juba this evening.

Through Facebook Livestream, 211 Check has also witnessed Kiir addressing mob in Bor Town today.

Kindly, disregard the trending information that Kiir has resigned and please don’t engage yourself in any online mis/disinformation and hate related content.

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Fabricated Wau protest video fact checked

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Author: Emmanuel Bida and Garang Abraham

A fabricated video!

Kindly disregard the current trending video on WhatsApp and Facebook which states that the then SPLA soldiers opened fire on protestors in Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State.

Earlier this morning, a video surfaced online indicating that some residents of Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State took to the streets in protest of government’s decision to relocate the state local council headquarter as seen in the video below.

When fact check by 211, the video was re-shared [fabricated] to incite people, following the recent protest in Juba over the death of prominent South Sudanese singer Trisha Cee who succumbed to her injuries after involving in a motor-bike accident over the weekend.

As reported by Al Jazeera’s Anna Cavell eight years ago, the incident happened on December 14 2012.

Residents of Wau town had gathered to protest against the relocation of a local council headquarter. At least nine people were reportedly killed in the protest.

Here is the link to the Aljazeera story: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/12/16/protesters-shot-at-by-south-sudanese-army

The British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) also quoted the United Nations spokesperson who said South Sudanese army killed 10 people when it opened fire on demonstrators angry at the relocation of a local council HQ in the north-west of the country.

BBC story link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-20658915

It should be noted that there is no any development regarding any relocation of a council headquarter currently in Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State. Western Bhar-el-Ghazel State is yet to have it local government as stipulated in the 2018 peace agreement.

Beware of fabricated content and avoid sharing them for they can make you a victim or an agent of mis/disinformation.

To know about our fact-checking process, click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Fact Check: Did Juba-Yei road ambush leave 9 Ugandans killed?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida and Garang Abraham

A misleading post!

South Sudan authorities have refuted media report which states that nine Uganda nationals were killed in South Sudan over the weekend.

The New Vision’s Tuesday edition specified that nine Uganda drivers were killed in a highway ambush along Juba-Yei road on Sunday.

“Nine Ugandan drivers shot dead in South Sudan, Sudanese rebels suspected to be behind killings” reads New Vision headline.

However, Paulino Lukudu – Central Equatoria Information Minister in his media briefing on Monday evening stated clearly that the Sunday Ganji incident left three Ugandans and one South Sudanese dead.

Radio Miraya also reported the same incident indicating the same data, bearing the death of three Uganda nationals.

Other related stories

Uganda’s Daily Monitor also reported that four Ugandan drivers were shot dead by unknown gunmen on Yei-Juba highway while heading to Juba for business – a data that is little bit similar to South Sudan’s one.

The deceases are identified as Stephen Amati, Dada Abugo, Ali Sonny and Sadam Noah, according to Koboko Resident District Commissioner – Mr Sazir Mayanja.

Here is the link to the Daily Monitor story: https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/at-least-four-ugandans-die-in-south-sudan-roadside-ambush-3341306?utm_medium=social.

According to NTV as well, the ambush left there 4 Uganda nationals killed as seen in the below report. https://www.ntv.co.ug/ug/news/national/at-least-four-ugandans-die-in-south-sudan-roadside-ambush-3341306?utm_medium=social.

Though 21 Check couldn’t access the link to New Vison website, the source who spoke to New Vision might gave offered wrong information to such a prominent media house.

NB: It also need to be noted that there are no Sudanese rebels in South Sudan. Those behind the ambush are alleged to be The National Salvation Front armed men.  

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Fact Checked: Do South Sudan authorities have teargas?

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Author: A story fact checked by Viola Elias – AFF – Cohort 2 fellow

The National Police Service has responded to online claims that South Sudan authorities are running the country’s affairs without possession of teargas. 

Teargas is described as a gas that causes severe irritation to the eyes, chiefly used in riot control to force crowds to disperse.

On February 18, African Full Facts posted misleading information on its Facebook page, which claimed that South Sudan is the only country in the African continent without teargas. 

The post reportedly quoted the government saying, “whosoever demonstrates against the government will be ready to dodge a live bullet”.

But when fact-checked by the 211 Check team, national police spokesperson Major General Daniel Justine described the post as misleading and a fabricated information meant to tarnish South Sudan’s Image, saying the country has teargas. 

“We have teargases. But sometimes our people blame our forces that whenever there are small things, the police shoot live bullets, that is why they think we don’t have teargas” Justine stressed.

Gen. Justine went to say the National Police Service inherited teargases from the then Sudan, adding that they are even available in all the ten states, except in Upper Nile. 

“We have many teargases that we have inherited from Sudan and it is based in all the states. Maybe with the exception of Malakal, which was disrupted by conflict in the past” he added. 

However, 211 Check did not visit the gas storage venue to witness its stowage. The team plans to pay a visit when allowed. 

Note: Don’t engage yourself in online conversations that spread mis/disinformation and hate related content. 

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Did Eritrea and Ethiopia Heads of States visit South Sudan as alleged, No – Report states the facts

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Author: A story fact checked by Emmanuek Bida and DefyHateNow Ethiopia team

Ethiopia and Eritrea authorities have described the alleged recent visit of their heads of States to South Sudan as false and fabricated information meant to mislead the public.

On March 5, 2021, a post by Ethiopian prominent activist Natnael Mekonnen, an online user with 130K subscribers on Telegram and 240k followers on Facebook claimed that his country head of State, Prime Minister – Abiy Ahmed and Eritrea President Issias Afwerk had a courtesy visit to President Salva Kiir.

That very day, an online media institution – The SudansPost, which has 11K followers on Facebook also posted the same information claiming a visit of such nature.

Debunk:

However, when fact checked both South Sudan and Ethiopia DefyHateNow fact checking teams, it was identified that there was no such visit, qualifying the story as false, manipulated and fabricated types of misinformation.

First evidence: on March 5, 2021, the alleged visit date, Ethiopian Prime Minister was attending a book publication ceremony of “Yemedemer Menged” “The path to medemer” at this particular time.

Second evidence: The image used by one of the media institution to described the visit was taken on March 4, 2019.

On Eritrea’s President Side:

Third evidence: Yemane G/Meskel, Eritrea’s Information Minister retweeted the news and picture used by the personnel and media institution, signifying that the information is fake and shouldn’t be given attention.

Fourth evidence: EwnetCheck, a DefyHateNow’s fact checking project team contacted the Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation correspondent to the Prime Minister Office, that described the story as factually incorrect.

Fifth evidence: In South Sudan, 211 Check team contacted the Presidential Press Secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny who described the alleged visit as fake news.

Ateny said instead it was Sudan’s Chairperson of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al Buhran who visited Juba on 3rd March, 2021 and was welcomed by the President.

Note: False information spreads so first, kindly endeavor to always remain cautious while online. Don’t share any content you are not sure of or you don’t know its origin. Think before you click!

To know about our fact-checking process, click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.