Fact-check: No, “Gammora” does not cure HIV/AIDS. It’s not a licenced medication

/in , , , , ,

No, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. It can, however, be managed using antiretroviral drugs, which stop the virus from replicating in the patient’s body.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

A Facebook page claiming to offer a new, approved, and tested final cure for HIV/AIDS – “Gammora” in Juba, South Sudan, is unproven.

On June 30, 2023,  Dr Shamir Care shared a poster with a text that partially reads: “GET a Kit today and regain your negative status back… Our new approved and tested final cure for HIV/AIDS...”  

The sponsored poster claims the service is available in Juba and directs interested people to talk to their team through a WhatsApp number linked to the post.

Screenshot of the poster as it appears on Facebook.

The post’s author then responds to enquiries about testimonies and physical location by asking them to reach out to the number provided, which raises suspicion.

The author can be seen replying to Facebook comments.

Other social media users, such as  Peter Garang Ngor Ayok, warned people about the advert in a published Facebook post. “The social media advert about HIV/AIDS cure circulating is malicious and meant to scam the people of South Sudan,” reads part of his post.

Investigation:

When contacted by 211 Check via WhatsApp, Dr Shamir Care responded that they offer tablets and injections in cash on a delivery basis. They do not have a physical location.

‘’You can buy tablets at 300$ It depends on which one you can afford, and all cures completely without the virus returning to your body… The brand name is Gammora, and it is available in Juba (sic).’’

A previous article in September 2022 by 211 Check established that Gammora does not cure HIV/AIDS.

Dr Leju Benjamin Modi, HIV Testing Services (HTS) Optimisation Advisor in the PEPFAR-supported HIV Care and Treatment Program in South Sudan at the Ministry of Health, said in a WhatsApp message, “As a medic and based on available data, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS yet. South Sudan’s Ministry of Health has not approved the sale of such a cure in the country” when asked to comment.

In January last year, the South Sudan Drugs and Food Control Authority (DFA) said it would start clamping down on unauthorised individuals involved in the importation of drugs. Secretary General for the authority Mawien Atem Mawien said after a public outcry that some medicines were ineffective, advising people to get malaria treatment from certified health facilities.

211 Check also contacted Dr Thomas Taban, a medical practitioner at Juba Teaching Hospital who dismissed claims of an HIV cure. “The people claiming to be curing HIV are scammers,” said Taban in response to 211 Check.

The World Health Organization(WHO) says there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. It is, however, treated with antiretroviral drugs, which stop the virus from replicating in the body.

“Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) does not cure HIV infection but allows a person’s immune system to get stronger,’’ reads WHO. 

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim of Gammora as a cure for HIV/AIDS unproven. There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, although there have been advancements in the search for a cure. HIV/AIDS can only be managed through ART, a lifelong treatment that suppresses the replication of HIV in the body. 

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

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: Anonymous Sudan Group, NOT South Sudanese hackers  

/in , , , , , ,

An unproven claim of “South Sudanese hackers” bringing down Kenya’s eCitizen platform amidst a series of cyberattacks targeting various government and private institutions, allegedly linked to the hacking group known as Anonymous Sudan

Writers: Jibi Moses, Ochaya Jackson and Emmanuel Bida

On July 27, 2023, a tweet claimed that “South Sudanese hackers” had brought down the Kenyan eCitizen platform, but this is unproven.

“South Sudanese hackers bring down Kenya’s eCitizen platform, ICT Ministry Confirms,” the tweet reads.

The same claim, “South Sudanese hackers,” was repeated by other users on X here, here, and here.

A screenshot of the claim as posted on Twitter

The cyber attack on Kenya

Kenya’s cyberspace this week has been infiltrated by cyberattacks that targeted different government IT infrastructures, institutions, and private sectors. The attackers launched distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that overwhelmed various institutions’ Information Technology assets and rendered their services unavailable to the public.

On Thursday, the Kenyan government issued a statement acknowledging the attacks but saying the hackers failed to compromise the institutional IT infrastructure.

“Over the past week, unsuccessful cyberattack attempts have targeted the Government and private sectors. For clarity, the data’s privacy and security were not compromised. The system was not hacked,” reads the Kenyan government’s statement on Thursday.

The prime target of the attacks has been the Kenyan government’s e-Citizen Portal, which has most of the data from all government institutions. The Kenyan government noticed that the attacks disabled targeted systems and made them inaccessible. Still, the security architecture in place thwarted the attacker’s operations to take control of the target systems.

“The relevant Government of Kenya agencies are on high alert and have enhanced the security of the e-Citizen portal and all Government Services Sites. All Systems and Portals under the control of the Government of Kenya are safe. The Government will continue its cyber-surveillance efforts and encourage the Public and Private sectors to heighten their cyber surveillance efforts so that jointly, we secure Kenya’s Cyberspace.”

What is a DDoS attack?

A distributed denial of service (DDoS), according to Cloud Flare, is a malicious attempt to disrupt the regular traffic of a target server, service, or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of internet traffic.

And CompTIA states that DDoS manipulates computer systems, properly works network equipment and services, exploits normal behaviour, and sniffs IT protocols to find vulnerabilities to penetrate its targets or victims. 211Check researched DDoS this year and wrote an explainer detailing its prevention or mitigation by an entity or individual.

Who claimed responsibility for the attack?

According to media reports, the cyberattacks on Kenya’s critical infrastructure have been linked to the hacking group that branded itself as Anonymous Sudan. The group has gained global prominence with attacks on critical government infrastructure in various countries worldwide.

A screenshot of the Anonymous Sudan Telegram Channel

Anonymous Sudan background

According to the ThreatMon report, Anonymous Sudan crippled various institutions through their attacks in Sweden, Denmark, France, Australia, and Germany. As the report indicated, the group is allegedly pro-Russia and targets government institutions, hospitals, and airport services of countries they believe to be against Sudan.

The report added that the hacking group started earlier this year, in 2023, after launching their Telegram Group with a proclamation to attack any country against Sudan.

The cyberattacks impact

This media report also details that the cyber attacks in Kenya targeted banks, telecommunication companies, media websites, university websites, hospitals, and transport agencies, which, according to the group, was retaliation against Kenya’s government because of its statement against Sudanese sovereignty.

“The impact of the attack is being felt on the ground. Many mainstream services (such as rail and electricity tokens) rely on Mpesa payments and government services on eCitizen. This raises the question of our country’s level of preparedness, yet, it serves as a wake-up call for developing more resilient systems.” Dan Kingori, Kenyan Cybersecurity Engineer at Web for All, tells 211 Check.

“There have been numerous theories on who is to blame. But it’s terrifying. Coincidentally, the Worldcoin rollout is taking place at this time.” he adds.

The attacks reportedly suspended over 5,000 public services for 48 hours and disrupted the financial payment (M-PESA) system. 

Conclusion 

211 Check finds the claim that South Sudanese hackers brought down the Kenyan government’s eCitizen platform unproven. Anonymous Sudan, a collective of hackers, has claimed responsibility for several Distributed-Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on critical online services in Kenya.

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 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 it necessary to cut any drug before taking it as stated?

/in , , , ,

No, this is an old issue and hoax.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A WhatsApp claim widely forwarded to users that warned people to cut any drug before swallowing it is a hoax.

The claim appeared to be a screenshot of a Facebook post by Nana Daudi taken in March 2018.

“Pls [please] cut any drug before taking it and pls [please] share to save a life,” reads the text accompanying the tablet image with thin iron metal.

Screenshot of the claim 

Google’s reverse image search of the claim returned that it was posted in October 2015 on a Facebook page with an Arabic name which Google translated to be a Pharmacist drug store accompanied with a claim saying “might be beneficial for anaemia because of iron deficiency”.

And also returned that the image was featured in a blog written by Ankur Choudhang published on a Pharmaguideline website about regulatory requirements for market complaints.

A Yandex reverse image search engine returned that many people with claims in multiple languages used a similar image on various Twitter handles.

A Twitter user named Derrick Cristopher 2015 tweeted the exact image attached with a Swahili statement advising people to break the tablet before swallowing to ensure it is safe.

“When you want to swallow any pill, you are advised to break it first to make sure that the pill inside is safe. The one you see in the middle of the panadol is a wire. Let’s be careful my brothers,” reads a translated Swahili statement using Google Translate.

Another Twitter user Alfredo Tweeted the image accompanied by a written Russian text in November 2015, claiming the drug to be paracetamol made in Israel.

“Warning! Now produced and sold in pharmacies, paracetamol made in Israel. Which contains iron stranded wire. Which leads to death. We kindly ask you to break the tablet before use to make sure it is empty. Send it to all you dear people,” reads a Google translated Russian text in English.

Alfredo’s tweeted image claim

TC Nurgul Gunus Gol Twitter handle tweeted in December 2015 the same image which claimed the tablet to be Bristol from Israel and said it was available in pharmacies.

“Warning, currently in pharmacies, Bristol from Israel has the pill inside. The pill contains a poisonous metal wire. May cause death. Please break the pill before drinking it and make sure there is no wire inside. Send this message to everyone dear to you,” reads part of the Google-translated text.

Hamdamuzbproo, a Twitter user, shared the tablet image on his handle, claiming to be Paracetamol made in Israel, adding it is produced and sold in pharmacies.

“Warning!. Now they produce and sell in pharmacies Paracetamol made in Israel, which contains a poisonous metal wire that leads to death. We kindly ask everyone to break the tablet before use to make sure it is empty. Share this news with all your loved ones,” reads the Google translated text below the tablet image. 

Findings

211 Check found that the claim also circulated as chain messages on social media in Indonesia, where its country’s Drug and Food Control  (Badan POM) regulatory body stated clarification in September 2016.

“In connection with the rise of chain messages on social media and short message applications with the title “be careful there is thin iron in the drug”, we can provide [that] every drug product circulating in Indonesia must obtain a distribution permit from the POM Agency so that the safety, efficacy and quality of the drug can be guaranteed, with one of the requirements being the application of GMP (Good Medicine Production Method). The application of GMP by the pharmaceutical industry includes quality control and quality assurance, which are a series of processes before, during and after the production process to guarantee quality according to standards, including preventing unwanted contamination of physical, chemical or biological contaminants,” reads part of the text written in the Indonesian Language as Google translated English version issued by Indonesian Drug and Food Control body.

However, the drug and food regulatory body could not determine the identity of the tablet with iron metal inside it.

“Every drug distribution follows CDOB (Good Drug Distribution Method) to meet the approved provisions to the patient/community consistently. As a protection for the public, the POM Agency will continue to supervise the possibility of circulating products that do not meet the requirements. The identity of the tablet containing metal circulating on social media is unclear, so the BPOM cannot follow up on it,” it added.

And according to Kominfo, an Indonesian-based website reported in 2019 that Ustadz Yusuf Mansur wrote the claim, but he did not write anything regarding the claim.

Conclusion:

211 Check can not ascertain the identity of the drug containing iron metal, whether panadol or paracetamol, making it hard to find its manufacturer. But the claim is an old one being recycled again on social media platforms.

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 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 Kenyan President William Ruto say his life is under threat?

/in , , ,

No, the video title is misleading, and the claim is unproven.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A video posted on Facebook by Chinny’s World TV claims that President William Ruto’s life is under threat. This is unproven.

The video is accompanied by text that reads: “My l!fê is under Thrêãt because I said the truth, Kenya President William Ruto Cr!ês out (sic).”

Screenshot of the Facebook video clip accompanying the claim

According to the video narration, the threat to Ruto’s life came after he spoke about the need to abandon dependence on the U.S. dollar for trade transactions among African nations. 

The video also claimed that Ruto later clarified that he was not against the U.S. dollar but emphasised that transactions should be made in local currencies to ease trade in Africa. At the same time, goods bought from the U.S. can be settled in U.S. dollars.

As such, the video claimed that the United States did not find Ruto’s address favourable and ‘is looking for all means to bring him down.’

The video also alleged that one of Ruto’s close friends said Ruto ‘needs more protection.’

211 Check Analysis:

The video does not feature Ruto’s voice or a clip saying his life was under threat, as claimed by the title. There is no available evidence to suggest the U.S. wants to bring down Ruto’s regime, and the claim did not explain how the U.S. wants to bring down Ruto’s government.

Conclusion:

Ruto has not made any explicit, publicly available statements claiming that the media or other sources threaten his life since becoming president. There is also no public record of a comment alleged to have been made by one of President William Ruto’s close friends that he needs ‘more protection.’

Therefore, Chinny’s World TV claim that Kenyan President William Ruto claimed his life was under threat is unproven.

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 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: Are these images all from South Sudan?

/in , , , , ,

No, one of the images shows a village in the Tharparkar Desert in Pakistan. 

Writer: Nancy Caesar

An image shared on Facebook by 64 tribes Media claiming to show a part of South Sudan is false. The image was published alongside five other images, and the text accompanying them reads: “Blessed Country.”

The image in question shows a rural settlement, while the rest of the images are supposedly of different regions of South Sudan, whose flag appears on one of the photos. 

Screenshots of the images from the 64 Tribes page.
Screenshots of the images from the 64 Tribes page.

Other pages that used the same picture with the same caption include Voice of Africa, African Hub, and  Great Africa.

To determine the authenticity of the claim, 211 Check carried out an investigation. 

Investigation:

211 Check carried out a Reverse Image Search on the pictures, and the results showed that the image, which shows a rural setting, was taken from a village in the Tharparkar desert. 

While the image has been shared online several times, such as here and here,  it is attributed to Emmanuel Guddu, who shared the same picture on 23 May 2021, with an accompanying tweet that reads:

“Yes this our Pakistan. This my shot also went viral and many people cropped and removed my watermark and mentioned that this is Thar of India. So here is full and actual shot which I took in a village near Islamkot in Tharparkar Desert of Sindh Pakistan (sic).”

Screenshot of  Emmanuel Guddu’s tweet.

Further investigation revealed that the Tharparkar Desert is an arid region that forms a natural boundary between Pakistan and India. On the Indian side, it is referred to as the Thar Desert, or the Great Indian Desert, and takes up about 85% of the desert’s coverage while 15% falls on Pakistan’s side.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds that most of the pictures were taken in South Sudan, but one is from a village in the Tharparkar Desert.

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

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 is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter. 

Fact-check: Does this photo show a man who added HIV- infected blood to Pepsi products?

/in , , , ,

No, the image under investigation was first published nearly ten years ago, depicting the extradition of a terrorism suspect from Sudan to Nigeria. However, the claim fails to specify the location or time of the incident referenced in the post.

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino

An image circulating on WhatsApp claiming that people should avoid consuming any products from the Pepsi Company for a few weeks due to an alleged incident where a worker supposedly added his HIV-infected blood to the beverages firm products is FALSE.

The image shows a man in handcuffs being escorted by police and is accompanied by a message stating that Sky News reported the incident.

A screenshot from the WhatsApp group describes the above situation. 

Investigation:

According to a Google Lens Search of the image, the photo was shared after the arrest of the alleged Nyanya bombing mastermind, Aminu Ogwuche.

Further investigation by 211 Check confirmed that the photo depicts Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, who was arrested in Sudan and later extradited to Nigeria after the Nyanya bomb attack in Nigeria’s Federal Capital. According to the Nigerian site Premium Times, Ogwuche was handed over to the Nigerian police on 15 July 2014.

In another related finding, Vishvas News conducted a fact-check on 15 July 2020. It debunked a claim stating that the man in the photo contaminated Cadbury products with his alleged HIV-positive blood.

However, it’s important to note that according to the Centre for Food Safety and the World Health Organization, HIV cannot be transmitted through water or food because the virus does not survive long outside the human body. Additionally, if food contains a small amount of HIV-infected blood or semen, the virus is destroyed when exposed to air, heat from cooking, and stomach acids.

Elsewhere, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated that the only case where food infected with HIV blood could potentially affect people is if a mother or caregiver who is HIV positive chooses to give pre-chewed food from their mouth to an infant.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the claim that a man put his HIV-infected blood in Pepsi products is false and misleading. 

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

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 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: Was the Iranian President’s trip to Kenya cancelled?

/in , , , , ,

No, The visit by the Iranian President to Kenya was not cancelled due to a warning from the U.S. government; the visit took place, and both Kenyan and Iranian presidents signed memoranda of understanding to further the relationships.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A video shared on Facebook by Fuata Nyuki-Wa Kungu claiming that the Iranian President’s visit to Kenya was cancelled is false and misleading. The video, shared on 12 July 2023, contains narration and is accompanied by text stating that Kenya’s president, William Ruto, was panicking after the US warned him not to accord the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, a state visit to Kenya.

“Ruto has been going all over Africa, chest thumping how Africans should be trading in their currencies away from the dollar. But a simple warning from [the] USA sends him in a panic, causing a diplomatic blunder, after he’s forced by the Western powers not to accord the Iranian President a State visit,” reads the post. 

The video’s narration transcript reads: 

“Imagine this, you are the president of Iran and you are about to embark on a historic tour of Africa, the first of by an Iranian leader in over a decade. You have been invited by the President of Kenya, who wants to boost trade and cooperation with your country. But then something goes wrong at the last minute, you are informed that your visit has been downgraded to an official visit meaning no state courtesies, no pomp and ceremony, no red carpet treatment. You are shocked and insulted by the sudden change of plans. You wonder what could have caused this snub. Is it pressure from the U.S. which imposed sanctions on your country? Is it fear of backlash from Israel which considers you a threat? Is it a sign of disrespect from Kenya which has closer ties with your rivals. You decided to cancel your visit and demand an explanation. You feel angry and betrayed by this diplomatic blunder. You wonder if Kenya is a reliable partner or puppet of the West. This is not a fictional scenario. This is what happened to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi who was supposed to arrive in Kenya today for a state visit. Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit was rescheduled to allow finalisation of key MOUs that are central to the furtherance of relations. But sources say Kenya changed its mind due to certain reasons that have not been disclosed. Iran has cancelled the visit and is waiting for an apology from Kenya. A high level crisis meeting is currently ongoing at the state house trying to resolve the matter and find ways of convincing President Raisi to come to Kenya. What do you think about this situation? How do you feel about Kenya’s decision? How do you think Iran will react?” 

211 Check investigation: 

According to a media report reviewed by 211 Check, the Iranian President was welcomed with a red carpet in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Wednesday, 12 July 2023.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi inspects the guard of honour during his state visit at the State House in Nairobi on 12 July 2023. © AFP/Simon Maina

Additionally, according to a K24TV video tweet, the Kenyan President said his country had witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on communication and information technology, fisheries, animal health, and livestock production with Raisi upon his visit to Kenya.

From left Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, accompanied by Kenya President William Ruto (middle), courtesy K24 TV.

The visit was initially slated for Tuesday, 11 July 2023. Still, according to the Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as per the media report, it was rescheduled for Wednesday to give room for the finalisation memorandum of the understanding.

“The President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, was scheduled to arrive in the country for a visit today [Tuesday]. The visit allowed the two countries to review and re-energize their bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. The schedule of the President [of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi] has now been reviewed to allow for the finalisation of key MoUs central to further relations. The Iranian President will now arrive tomorrow [Wednesday 12th, July 2023]  for a State Visit,” reads part of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement as quoted by the media.

“The President will be at the State House at 7.00 am tomorrow [Wednesday] for a bilateral meeting. He will, after that, proceed to lay a wreath at the Mausoleum of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta before proceeding to tour other African countries,” the ministry added.

In addition to that, Dr. Alfred N. Mutua, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, tweeted that President William Ruto held high-level bilateral talks with his counterpart, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the five memoranda of understanding signed laid the basis for continued socio-economic cooperation.

The Iranian President’s tour to Africa also took him to Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Conclusion:

The visit by the Iranian President to Kenya was not cancelled due to a warning from the U.S. government; the visit took place, and both Kenyan and Iranian presidents signed memoranda of understanding to further the relationships between the two countries.

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

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 important to fight misinformation and disinformation in media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking 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: Was this how Juba looked in 2002, 2003, and 2004?

/in , , , ,

No, the photo shows a place in rural Lesotho.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A Facebook post by Christian Kur Dengdit falsely shared a photo of a place in Lesotho, claiming it shows Juba’s landscape in 2002, 2003, and 2004.

The photo is one of four meant to show the gradual changes in Juba’s appearance and compares it to another photo of Juba in recent years. 

“Changes never just happen now and then, it takes time to work out….see Juba and UoJ [University of Juba] in previous yrs and currently, and otherwise we’re very proud now and happy on our land (sic),” reads part of the text accompanying the photos.

       The screenshot of the Facebook post by Christian Kur Dengdit

The claim by Dengdit also featured pictures of the University of Juba tower dating back to 2008, 2009 and the university’s current modernised building.

The post’s author also tagged the University of Juba Vice Chancellor, Professor John Akec and 16 other Facebook users.

Prof. Akec then  re-shared the post  on his timeline,  terming it an “interesting reflection” while charging that “change is not automatic.”

“Interesting reflection… Change takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight. Change is not automatic, either. Most of the development is private-sector funded. Few buildings are public, I think,” wrote Prof. John as he shared the claim, which attracted hundreds of reactions. 

The screenshot of Prof. John Akec Facebook timeline after sharing the claim

The photo has also been shared on Facebook in the past, where the author claimed it was Juba in 2004 before the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Investigation

However, 211 Check investigated and traced the origin of the photo using Google Lens, and it appeared that it is a place in rural Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa. The image was also featured in an article by PV Magazine, which published a story in 2019 about a solar project in Lesotho. 

Pxhere describes the image as a high-resolution picture taken from  Lesotho and is free to download.

“The free high-resolution photo of landscape, town, village, ruins, Bergdorf, slum, wadi, Karg, ancient history, Lesotho, rondavels, human settlement taken with an unknown camera 02/13 2017 The picture taken with The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required.”

Lesotho, Mountain Village, Round smelters image, Source: Hebieser, Pixabay

Other sources that used the image are African News, Pixabay and Apolitical, which ran a story on the state of the health sector in Lesotho which featured the same photo.

Conclusion:

211 Check has found that the picture claimed to show Juba’s landscape in 2002, 2003, and 2004 is false and misinforms the public. The photo is of a place in the rural area of Lesotho and has been used freely and several times on the internet.

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

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 is crucial to fight against misinformation and disinformation in mainstream and alternative media by avoiding becoming a victim of fake news. To prevent the spread of false information, you must refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or unaware of its origin. Disinformation and misinformation can be incredibly dangerous because they can mislead people and cause harm. For instance, false information on health matters can lead to wrong decisions that can put people’s lives at risk. Therefore, it’s vital to fact-check information before sharing it to promote accurate and reliable information. Visit https://211check.org/ for more details on our fact-checking process, or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 if you want to present a claim. Our team will promptly respond to your request because we believe #FactsMatter.

HOAX: This Google Form advertising jobs in Canada is a scam

/in , , , ,

The work permit application criteria on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website does not include filling out a Google Form.

Writer: PesaCheck

This Google Form on Facebook with instructions on how to apply for jobs in Canada is a HOAX.

The form claims there is a massive recruitment targeting Kenyans seeking employment in Canada.

The purported Google Form makes reference to the labour migration framework announced on 2 May 2023 by President William Ruto that Kenya and Canada are working to enable more Kenyans to get skilled jobs in the North American country.

However, communication by the IRCC and Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not indicate that the procedure to apply for Canadian jobs includes filling out a Google Form, such as the one we are investigating.

The Google Form lists bakery workers, truck drivers, housekeepers, gardeners, nannies, chefs, plumbers, and janitors, among others, as the jobs Kenyans should apply for.

Curiously, the qualifications for employment are basic despite some of the jobs listed requiring professional expertise. They include that the job seeker must be 18 years and above, be conversant in English, be disciplined, and ready to work in Canada.

The Google Form further promises a remuneration package of CAD$69,500 (KSh5,370,000) and above per year. It also promises free Kenyan passport application, Canadian visa application, air ticket, and accommodation in Canada, among other benefits.

The form includes an image that is irrelevant to Canadian immigration. A reverse image search shows that the photograph was taken in November 2022, when President Ruto oversaw an agreement between Kenya and Fortescue Future Industries, an Australia-based multinational firm, to fast-track the development of affordable green fertiliser.

Further, the Google Form lists an 11-step procedure for applying for jobs in Canada, including paying a registration fee of KSh850 to a provided number to qualify.

The mobile money transaction message shows that the registration fee has been sent to Airswift Services.

On 16 May 2023, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua cautioned Kenyans against falling prey to cons purporting to offer jobs in Canada.

Mutua tweeted: “Please be wary of agencies that say they are recruiting for Canadian firms. We are aware that some Kenyans have been conned by some agencies and you therefore need to be careful so that you are not swindled. I will be providing a list of Canadian Government approved consultants (under the College of Immigration and Citizenship approved consultants.”

Additionally, information on the IRCC website states that people seeking jobs in Canada should consult its website to determine the programmes for which they may be eligible.

The procedure for applying for a work permit in Canada depends on the applicant’s varied circumstances and does not include filling out any Google Form as claimed.

PesaCheck has examined the Google Form with instructions on how to apply for jobs in Canada and found it to be a HOAX.

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.

FALSE: This image is not of protesters in France aboard a police vehicle

/in , , ,

The image is of a scene from Athena, a 2022 film.

Writer: PesaCheck

This image on Twitter, purportedly of demonstrators in France aboard a police vehicle, is FALSE.

The image is of individuals clinging to the door of a moving police van, with one person seated on the roof holding a French flag. A motorcycle follows closely behind the van, performing a stunt.

The photo accompanies the text, “France welcomed ‘peaceful’ Middle East immigrants into their country. Now, that 9% of the population is wrecking (sic) havoc on their cities, even after their Defense Minister deployed 45,000 police in a loose attempt to restore order”.

The post was shared on 1 July 2023, following a series of protests in France triggered by the fatal shooting of a teenager by a policeman in Nanterre.

PesaCheck performed a Google reverse image search to establish the authenticity of the image. The results led to a link on the Netflix website, listing a movie called Athena. The movie is about the aftermath of a tragic incident involving the killing of a young boy.

A trailer for the movie, posted on YouTube in 2022, features a chaotic scene that includes the image we are fact-checking. The image and the trailer share significant similarities, such as the presence of a motorcycle rider, individuals hanging onto the van’s door, and the flag on the roof.

PesaCheck has examined an image on Twitter purportedly of protesters in France aboard a police vehicle and found it to be FALSE.

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.