Fact-check: Was Messi locked up in Saudi Arabia?  No, an old picture first used in 2012

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The photograph was taken in 2012, during Messi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, rather than during this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A Facebook post published by a page named Football Xperts claiming that Lionel Messi was locked up in Saudi Arabia recently is false.

The post, published on the 23rd of November, 2022 was captioned, “Not the first time Saudi Arabia locked up Lionel Messi..#FIFAWorldCup #Messi #Qatar2022.” According to this description, Saudi Arabia had, at some time, locked up the footballer. However, there was no reason or other details about his arrest. 

The post was accompanied by a picture of Messi being surrounded by soldiers, presumably escorting him, with one of the soldier’s gun pointing at his chin. His reaction shows he’s scared. 

The post attracted over 66,000 reactions,  over 4,000 shares and over 900 comments, with people mainly commenting already being concerned over the life of Messi and his safety. 

The image that was attached to the post. 

211 Check conducted an image reverse search using InVID; the search yielded a large number of images from various sources, some in similar situations but not the exact image; however, we discovered that the image was used on Reddit, posted by u/gaping your mother. It was nine years ago. 

“Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi arrives in Saudi Arabia for a promotional event. His face is priceless as security escorts him through a crowd of fans,” the photo caption reads.

A screenshot of the picture used by the Reddit user 

There is one which was first tweeted on the Twitter handle Barça Worldwide.@Barcaworldwide. It was tweeted on May 22, 2022, before the World Cup. In the thread, there are words said by Messi,..” it was very scary but utterly unintentional. That guy didn’t even realize he was pointing the rifle at me.“

A post with the same picture was published by a Saudi Paper, AFP/Al- Watan Newspaper via Getty Images. The photo was captioned, ‘A picture taken on November 12 2012 shows Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi being escorted by Saudi security personnel upon his arrival with the team in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Conclusion:

According to the results from the searches, the picture was first taken in 2012, in  Saudi Arabia, when Lionel Messi was in Saudi for official duties. The soldiers were escorting him, trying to protect him from the fans. Lionel Messi is in Qatar with the Argentina team.

#FactsMatter, don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re unsure about or know where it comes from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

Fact-check: No, the World Bank is not funding jobs through the South Sudan Relief Fund

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According to the RRC, no organisation goes by the name South Sudan Relief Fund, and the World Bank is not sponsoring it.

By Ochaya Jackson

A one-page document trending on WhatsApp claiming that the South Sudan Relief Fund, in collaboration with the World Bank, is offering job opportunities is false.

According to the document, the South Sudan Relief Fund is a humanitarian non-governmental organisation whose mission is to “provide peace and hope” to the community by providing aid.

“South Sudan Relief Fund is a Non-Profit Organization dedicated to bringing food, safe drinking water, clothing, shelter, medical attention and hope to the people of South Sudan. Our mission is to provide peace and hope for the future by alleviating immediate humanitarian concerns,” part of the document reads.

“We are currently partnering with [the] World Bank to recruit qualified candidates for the [following] positions in all the states of South Sudan,” the document states.

Intern, nurse, doctor/pharmacist, office secretary, clerical officer, driver, security guard, community health officer, environmental health officer, accountant, engineer, technical support staff, data entry clerk, and trained teachers are among the over 1,000 job openings with an application deadline of November 24, 2022, on the false advertisement.

The image format of the document in circulation

However, 211 Check finds that the document is neither genuine nor from the right institution. The document header bears the Sudan Relief Fund logo at the left edge and the World Bank at the right, but beneath it takes the name “South Sudan Relief Fund,” which contradicts or points to a scam.

The email address to which the applicants are to send their documents is a private one without the domain of the organisation, which is uncommon and lacks both the stamp and signature. 

A search on the Google engine about South Sudan Relief Fund returned no results for an organisation with such a name at the time of publication, but the claim impersonates the Sudan Relief Fund.

There are no job vacancies advertised currently by Sudan Relief Fund on its website after a search was performed, however.

And the World Bank website does not show any partnership with South Sudan Relief Fund to sponsor job vacancies.

Conclusion:

There is no organisation called the South Sudan Relief Fund in the registrar’s database for nongovernmental organisations at the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission. Still, the claim impersonates the Sudan Relief Fund organisation to scam people with job vacancies.

And the World Bank is not sponsoring any job vacancies in partnership with the non-existent South Sudan Relief Fund.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance. 

Fact-check:  Is the US Federal Reserve planning to purge old dollar notes in 2023? No, it’s false

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No publicly available announcement by any United States government agency claims the American government has decided to restrict the acceptance of old dollar notes printed below 2021

Writer:  Ochaya Jackson

US $ 100 notes

A claim shared widely among WhatsApp users that the United States government has planned to contain “any US dollar below the 2021 printed date” is false.

The move, which according to the claim, was reached on 2nd November 2022 in Washington DC, aims to get rid of the illegal billions of dollars stockpiled in the African continent originating from illicit activities relating to drugs, terrorism, kidnapping, and ill-gotten cash by politicians. 

And to enforce the decision, the central banks in Africa will be assigned officials from the United States Federal Reserve to monitor the inflows and outflows of dollar transactions.

“Sequel to the just concluded extraordinary meeting held in Washington DC on Nov. 2nd 2022 between the United States Federal Reserve Bank, Office of the Comptroller of Currency, IMF, World-Bank and Governors of Africa’s Central Banks, the United States Govt has set a date for restriction on the acceptable legal tender note of US Dollar which will commence on Jan. 31st 2023”, part of the message claim reads.

“The restriction implies that any US Dollar note below 2021 printed date will no longer be accepted or be a legal tender anywhere in the world… This effort is to curb billions of illegal monies in dollar bills warehoused around the African continent emanating from drug-related, terrorism, kidnapping and money from corrupt politicians”, the claim added.

The screenshot of the widely circulating claim on the WhatsApp

211 Check established that the claim appeared to have been doctored in other circumstances, like in Nigeria, especially when the central bank of Nigeria decided in October 2022 to redesign Naira. 

The false claim popped up and was forwarded widely in WhatsApp groups citing Reuters’ report that the United States was controlling the acceptance of dollars below 2021, which turned out to be false after PR Nigeria fact-checked it. 

No publicly available announcement by any United States government agency claims the American government has decided to restrict the acceptance of old dollar notes printed below 2021. 

However, the federal reserve only on 3rd November announced the pricing adjustment, which will be effective on 3rd January 2023; for payment services it provides to depository institutions like clearing of checks, ACH transactions, wholesale payment and settlement services, according to a press release posted on its website.

And the fact sheet from the US federal reserve website indicates that “all U.S. currency remains legal tender, regardless of when it was issued”.

Conclusion

The claim that the US government has planned to restrict the acceptance of old dollar notes printed below 2021 is false.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: FIFA is NOT offering a free 50 GB data plan for all networks

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Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A viral WhatsApp message doing the rounds in groups claiming that the Federation of Football Association (FIFA) is offering free 50GB data on all networks to watch the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is false.

The message contains a phishing and malicious link 

Screenshot of a viral WhatsApp message

Investigation:

211 Check investigated the link, which directed to one webpage with poorly presented photos of football players.

“It starts here with early bird offers….save more than 30%. One world one home”, reads the message on a webpage which further directed you to click another button.

The screenshot of the webpage

The page provided the bar to enter a number to check for eligibility to receive and activate the claimed 50GB data plan for three months on the mobile phone.

“Enter your number to check if you are Eligible to Receive and Activate free 50GB data plan valid for three months on your mobile phone now”, it directed.

211 Check entered in a non-existent number on any telecommunication network. Still, the reply was that the number is eligible for the offer, however, with the condition to share with twelve friends or groups on WhatsApp.

“Congratulations! Your Number is Eligible to receive free 50GB Data, Valid for 3 months. To get your free 50GB data, click the green button “WHATSAPP” and share this information with 12 Friends or Groups on WhatsApp. Let us celebrate together. Invite Your loved Ones to benefit also. After sending the message, you will get free 50GB of data on your Mobile within 5 minutes”.

The screenshot of the reply after entering the number

Analysis

The claim contained a fake Unified Resource Locator (URL) unrelated to or associated with FIFA. The Whois information look-up shows that it was registered in May 2022 and expires in May 2023.

The screenshot of the whois look-up of the fake URL

However, the whois look-up of the FIFA website shows that it was registered in August 1995 and expires in August 2023, which is totally different from the claimed URL.

The screenshot of the FIFA website whois look-up

The URL contained in the claim has been detected by the anti-virus Kaspersky as meant for phishing to trick people into providing their passwords and credit card details and has the threat of data loss by device users.

The screenshot of the Kaspersky’s detecting the fake URL link

Besides, 211 Check analysed the URL using virus total and found six security vendors (Avira, Fortinet, Sophos, Forcepoint ThreatSeeker, CyRadar, Kaspersky, and Viettel Threat Intelligence) categorised the URL as malicious and designed for an online phishing attack.

The screenshot of the virus total analysis seen by 211 Check

And on the fake URL claims that the 50 GB data is rewarded through Digital Energy Technologies Ltd’s portal is false.

In conclusion,

The claim is a false and malicious trend to attack people online, and it is not accurate because there is no substantive evidence to prove that the claim is from a legitimate entity. When the URL is clicked and loaded, it downloads malware into devices with weak security features.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Is MTN Uganda Offering 10 GB Free data to its subscribers for 24th Anniversary? No, it is false.

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MTN Uganda offers 24 free minutes of MTN to MTN calls to celebrate its 24th anniversary. The link circulating is malicious and doesn’t represent MTN

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

On November 6, 2022, MTN Uganda celebrated 24 years of providing telecommunications services in Uganda. On the same day, a WhatsApp message began circulating with the untrue claim that MTN Uganda would provide 10 GB of free data to commemorate its 24th anniversary.

“MTN UGANDA At 24.  It feels good to be 24. We just want to celebrate with you, our dear customers. We are giving you 10GB free data to chat with everyone that is dear to you. Let’s celebrate our birthday together. Check Links Below to see if you qualify to get Free Data,” that WhatsApp message that has been doing the rounds reads in part.

Screenshot of the widely WhatsApp message

When you click on the links above, you will be taken to a one-page website titled: “We are 24. Happy Birthday to us. You’ve 10GB of Free Data Valid for 1 Month.” It then instructs users to press a “GET YOURS NOW” button, which prompts them to enter their phone number. You are eligible for the data regardless of how many times you click.

The one-page site users are directed to when they click on the links

Screenshot of an alleged verification process after entering phone number  

Screenshot of a prompt on the site asking people to send the information to 12 groups and friends on WhatsApp

But, is MTN Uganda offering 10 GB free data to celebrate its 24th anniversary? No and here is why?

211 Check finds out that MTN Uganda announced on twitter that they were offering 24 free minutes of MTN to MTN calls in celebration of its 24th anniversary.

‘’Thank you Uganda for being our home for 24 years. To celebrate all our loyal customers, we are giving you 24 free MTN to MTN minutes to talk to all your loved ones today. Senkyu for being on MTN,’ it announced on Twitter.

Some complains to MTN Uganda on Twitter:

Charles Amone @CharlesAmone2

‘’This is good, but there is also a link moving around for 10gbs data. And needed to be shared to 12 groups. MTN does not work like that. If it’s to be given to all, why must I share to groups and get it. I will buy data. Thanks for minutes though.’’

Dr. Nzanzu Joshua @NzanzuT

‘’MTN helps fraudsters to fraud Ugandans through a message they put up when a customer calls their helpline. These F.stars have sent a hodgepodge of links and are frauding us left right and center. MD hereby notified. Why not just send them to every active no?’’

MTN Uganda replies to the unverified claim of the free 10 GB data:

‘’Hello, we are sorry about that. Kindly ignore any information not sent through our main channels, from Twitter, Facebook, 0312120000 or Whatsapp 0772123100. Also report suspicious information for action,” MTN Uganda said.

Screenshot of MTN Uganda tweet reply.

The website impersonating the official MTN Uganda website can be found at blogspot.com, a free service provided by Google. The official MTN Uganda website can be found at https://www.mtn.co.ug/.

According to the whois record, the domain name of the malicious website was registered on December 11th, 2021, which is a little under a year ago.

A screenshot showing the Whois information for the fake site

Whois record for https://www.mtn.co.ug/ 

A screenshot showing the Whois information for MTN Uganda

Conclusion:

The claim that MTN is giving away 10 GB worth of free data as part of celebrating its 24 years in Uganda has been proven false by 211 Check. The links going around are not from MTN and are malicious.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Is Salva Mathok in hospital after allegedly falling and breaking his neck? No, It’s false

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Salva Mathok categorically denies the rumours, stating that he is alive and well. He states that he was present at Tuesday’s assembly session, which was later adjourned.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A viral Facebook post alleging that Salva Mathok, a member of the Revitalised Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA), was hospitalised after allegedly falling and breaking his neck is false.

Two Facebook pages, Radio Dabanga-211 and Phow Radio FM, claim that the legislature collapsed on Tuesday, November 1st, breaking his neck. Radio Dabanga -211 claims to have up to 13 thousand followers and describes itself as “Good times, great hits.” The post has received more than 160 reactions, 330 comments, and 123 shares.

Meanwhile, Phow Radio FM (4,700 likes and 6,500 followers) posted this as breaking news. The post received over 100 reactions, 230 comments, and 104 shares.

The picture of Salva Mathok that the two pages used.

But to what extent do these claims doing the rounds have any basis in reality?

211 Check performed a reverse image search on the photo and discovered that it was first used in 2020 by Hot in Juba. Salva Mathok was photographed while in Nairobi for a routine medical checkup.

The legislature was with a friend in the picture Hot in Juba used, indicating that the two pages altered the original picture and cropped out the other guy, who was unnamed.

Original picture of Salva Mathok and a friend in a Nairobi hospital as posted on 06/01/2020

Recently, Salva Mathok has made headlines for burning down a Seventh-day Adventist Church in one of his counties in South Sudan’s Warrap State, claiming that the Church had been burning down shrines of local leaders, a practice that was driving people away from their beliefs. Furthermore, he claimed that the church encouraged sexual immorality. As a result, the public’s reaction to this story has been mixed, with some claiming that it was a punishment from God.

However, since then, he and the state governor, Aleu Ayieny, have travelled to Juba to participate in assembly sessions. They left the Warrap state capital of Kuajok.

Salva Mathok rubbishes ill-health rumours:

Salva Mathok, when contacted by No. 1 Citizen, an English daily newspaper in South Sudan, categorically denied the rumours, stating that he is alive and well. He stated that he was present at Tuesday’s assembly session, which was later adjourned.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that Salva Mathok is hospitalised after allegedly falling and breaking his neck is false. The picture circulating is old, first posted on 06/01/2020

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re unsure about or know where it comes from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

Fact-check: Is this the correct site for the US Diversity Visa Program 2024? No, it isn’t  

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The phishing link is intended to collect personal information of unsuspecting people online.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A link circulating on the social media platform WhatsApp purporting to be The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, a United States government lottery programme for receiving a US Permanent Resident Card for 2022/2023 is false.

“The U.S.A DV Visa Lottery online Application Form 2022/2023 registration exercise which is the quickest way for all Foreigners interested in immigrating legally to live, Study and work in UNITED STATES. The Resident Card Lottery Program also known as Diversity Immigration Visa Lottery program is a chance for 45,000 people from all over the world to become permanent and legal residents of the UNITED STATES, meaning that they can live. work and study in the U.S.A.  Interested Applicants are to visit the Online Registration Portal. The Winners Will Be Drawn From Random Selection And There Is No Cost To Register”, reads the false message containing malicious link. 

Screenshot of the shared WhatsApp message

When applicants click on the link, they are taken to a one-page website with a form that requests their title, name, phone number, email, address, country, and account password.

Screenshot of the forms applicants are asked to fill

After filling out the above information, one is said to be considered for a chance even without sending the confirmation email listed in the form; instead, applicants are asked to forward the message to more WhatsApp friends or groups.

Screenshot of the prompt after filling the form

When 211 Check investigated the claim link, it discovered that it was not the same as the official US Department of State website for the 2024 Diversity Visa Program.

As part of the legitimate processes for qualifying for the opportunity, the malicious website asks three questions: how well do you speak English, what is your employment status, and what age range do you prefer?

The form for filling out personal information requires password information, which is unusual given that it is not for logging in.

And it tempts users to send the message to fifteen friends or five WhatsApp groups before submitting the application.

Comparison with the Electronic Diversity Visa Program

211 Check compared the information requirements entered into the Electronic Diversity Visa Application Entry System on the US Department of State website to the one trending on WhatsApp and discovered that they do not match. The website’s features, terms, and conditions differ from the official information on the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

And the U.S. government warned the public of fraudsters’ operations trying to distort the official program for personal gains, according to a notice of fraud warning published on the Department of State website.

“The Department of State, Office of Visa Services, advises the public of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants. While DV applicants may receive an email from the U.S. government reminding them to check their status online through DV Entrant Status Check, they will not receive a notification letter or email informing them that they are a successful DV entrant. Applicants can only find out if they were selected to continue with DV processing by checking their status online through the DV Entrant Status Check,” reads the fraud warning.

“The only official way to apply for the DV program is directly through the official U.S. Department of State website during the specified and limited registration period”, it adds. 

The screenshots of the true Electronic Diversity Visa Application System

Whois Information:

The domain information for the phishing link shows that it was registered on 07 April, 2022. A scam is usually apparent when a site is created around the same time it went viral.

Screenshot of the Whois domain information of the linkin circulating on WhatsApp

Conlusion 

The link doing the rounds on WhatsApp about the United States resident card visa lottery 2022/2023 is false mimicking the official U.S. Department of State’s Diversity Visa Program. It is a phishing scam designed to harvest personal information from people online by fraudsters.

FALSE: This video of player fighting referee during a football match is not from Rumbek, South Sudan

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The video is from September, 2016 and was taken in Zimbabwe and not South Sudan as alleged

A video posted on Facebook claiming to show a footballer fighting a referee during a match at Rumbek, South Sudan is False. 

The video shared online on October 31, 2022 alleged that a player in Rumbek fought a match referee after being red carded.

“A football referee was beaten by a player in Rumbek after issuing him a straight red card.

According to the player, he says the referee was against him for nothing,” reads the caption of the post we are fact-checking.

However, we performed a keyword search on Google and established that the video was recorded in Zimbabwe and first went viral in September, 2016.

The video was taken from a Southern Division One league match pitting Victoria Falls Tigers against Amagagasi.

Trouble began when the referee gave a Victoria Tigers’ player matching orders, only for the latter to descend on him with punches, forcing the match official to retaliate.

211 Check has examined a video posted on Facebook claiming to show a footballer fighting the match referee during an ongoing game at Rumbek, South Sudan and finds it to be False

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Can paw paw seeds ward off malaria? No, scientifically unproven

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Writer: Jibi Moses

A Facebook post by Mr. Chia, a page that concentrates on foods and nutrition claimed on 14th October 2022 that Papaya seeds are a medication for Malaria.

The post that has since attracted 13 reactions, 3 comments and 2 shares carries a picture of a ripe pawpaw with the caption ‘ward off malaria with paw paw seeds’.

The post further claims that the paw paw seeds have more health benefits as in being a powerful antioxidant, relieves menstrual pain, healthy gut, helps in weight loss, anti-cancer properties, and nephroprotective.

A screenshot of the image used by Mr. Chia. 

But, how do paw paw seeds ward off malaria? 211 Check looks at the claim:

The Facebook page, Mr. Chia mostly posts about foods and associated health benefits, and attributes a single food type to be medicinal too many diseases for example, in this case, it named malaria, cancer, healthy gut, reduces on menstrual pain, and protects the kidneys. In another post they wrote on sugarcane, explaining similar benefits.

However, there’s no clear dosage for the patient who is taking the medication in the page’s posts.

211 Check spoke to a medical doctor in Juba, Dr.Gwolo David of Juba Medicare clinic, enquiring whether papaya seeds can help prevent and cure malaria, but he said there’s no proven way that papaya seeds can help prevent or cure malaria though studies have shown its inhibitory effects on Plasmodium falciparum (malaria).

He said papaya, just like any fruit, is nutritional and he advises people to always have them in their diet, but they shouldn’t be eating them as medication. He further advised people to always visit a medical personnel when not feeling okay and take medication as advised by the physician.

Dr.Odol George, a Juba-based physician, had an answer not different from that of Dr.David.

“What is known is that fruits are good for health because they contain a lot of vitamins which will improve body immunity and have antioxidant elements like Vitamin E and Zinc,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from the National Drug Authority were futile, as they couldn’t reply to our email. 

What is Papaya?

According to Wikipedia papaya or pawpaw is the plant Carica papaya, one of the 22 accepted species in the genus Carica family Caricaceae. It was first domesticated in Mesoamerica, within modern day southern Mexico and Central America. In 2020 India produced 43% of the world supply of papaya.

An Internet based nutritional WebMD explains how beneficial papaya is to one’s health. Similarly other sites explains in their different as seen here, here, here and here 

An image of a sliced ripe papaya (pawpaw) fruit. 

Malaria causes symptoms, prevention and treatment 

Malaria is spread by a female anopheles mosquito. Most common signs of malaria are fever, headache, joint pains and others. Malaria can be mild to deadly extent if not treated early enough. There many medicines that treat Malaria according to the way an individual responds to the parasites.

The Center for Diseases control explains more about Malaria, its causes, symptoms and treatment in this post. World Health Organization, the body that regulates and coordinates health issues in the world has this to say about malaria 

Malaria treatment 

Malaria is treated with a variety of medicines some of which are Chloroquine, Doxycycline, and Primaquine.

These health establishments give a better and more explanation on the types of medicines used for treating Malaria and these are: CDC, MedicineNet, and drugs.com.

Conclusion:

Given the findings after the comments from the medical doctors and reliable online sources, there’s on prove that papaya seeds are a medication for either malaria or the other said ailments.

The online nutritional sites which are somehow in support of the claim, warn that patients should first seek advice from a medical Doctor or a physician should they catch malaria.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Photo showing two wives of a police officer who gave birth on the same day?

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The photos used in the claim were taken in October 2020 at a hospital in Kapoeta county, Eastern Equatoria State, of two women who gave birth to triplets three weeks apart, not on the same day. 

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A Facebook post by Kampala Today on the 13th October, 2022, claimed that a police officer impregnated his two wives and they at the same time gave birth to triplets citing each with two girls, and one boy.

The post which did not mention the name, and the location of the police officer is false.

“Apolice officer impregnated his two wives and they coincidentally gave birth on the same day, each having triplets (two girls and one boy each). What a blessing!!”, the post reads.

The post garnered over one thousand comments, sixty nine shares, and about two thousand reactions.

The screen shot of the Facebook post page

The East African Vibes Facebook page carried the same false claim referring also to the unknown police officer. And it received over seven hundred comments, almost two thousand reactions, and fifty shares.

The screen shot of the post

Earlier the social media Facebook page of Kenyan Report referenced the claim to a man who it said “impregnated his two wives and they coincidentally gave birth on the same day, each having triplets”, which is false. Here there are over five hundred reactions, four hundreds comments, and twenty eight shares.

This is the screen shot

And on 9th, Oct, 2022 Juba TV published on its website headlining that a “Kapoeta woman gives birth to six babies, four boys and two girls”, which appeared to have manipulated the falsehood trend on the triplets story.

Findings:

211 Check discovered, however, that the photo accompanying the claim was reported with a story by Hot in Juba in October 2020, of two women in Kapoeta South County hospital of Eastern Equatoria State who each gave birth to triplets three weeks apart.

“Two women in Kapoeta may have set record of some kind after they gave birth to triplets just 3 weeks apart. The birth of [two] triplets four boys and two girls went viral after a member of the family posted pics of the triplets while still in [h]ospital”, Hot in Juba reported that time.

In addition, Eye Radio reported in October 2020 about another man who abandoned his wife in Kapoeta hospital after she gave birth to triplets (two boys and one girl).

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the claim of a police officer’s wives having given birth to triplets is false. The photos used in the claim were taken in October 2020 at a hospital in Kapoeta county, Eastern Equatoria State, of two women three weeks apart, not on the same day, after they each gave birth to triplets.