Fact-check: MTN South Sudan 40th Anniversary Celebration Gift Raffle is a Hoax

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MTN South Sudan is just ten years old, and it marked its 10th anniversary in June 2021. Therefore, do not click and provide your contact address or personal information to suspicious online websites.

By Kei Emmanuel Duku

Introduction:

A website link widely shared on various WhatsApp groups claiming that MTN customers in South Sudan stand a chance of winning 300 euros through a questionnaire as MTN celebrates its 40th anniversary is false.

Fake Promotional Website Circulating on WhatsApp

While answering the questions on the website, you will encounter questions like:

1. Do you know MTN South Sudan?

2. How old are you?

3. What do you think about MTN South Sudan?

4. And, they also asked if you were male or female?

After going through the four-step questionnaires, a dialogue box with a congratulatory message pops up, “Your answers have been saved successfully. You have a chance to win gifts, and you must select the correct box with your prize inside.” You have three attempts. Good luck”. 

Upon selecting the first 2 boxes, it will tell you, “Sorry, the box you have selected is empty. Try again.” You have more chances left, but by clicking on the second row of the first two boxes, it tells you. “Congratulations! You did it! “You won 300 euros.”

And the thump rule: for you to get the money, you must be able to share their promotional messages in five groups and with 20 other friends, as well as complete the registration process with all contact addresses, in order for you to receive the 300 euros in 5-7 days. 

However, the promotion is not true, and below are some of our findings which make the promotion false or a hoax. 

If you do a close analysis of the website, it directs you to a different website, not the official MTN South Sudan website. The official website for MTN South Sudan is https://mtn.com.ss. The false promotional website is affirmationkidnap.top/ev, which we found to be unrelated to MTN South Sudan. 

Additionally, the impostor website is not encrypted, as all legitimate websites start with HTTPS. Therefore, you should desist from such scrupulous links or websites. 

Investigation:

MTN South Sudan was established in 2011, right after the independence of South Sudan, with its headquarters located in Hai Jerusalem, Juba-South Sudan. MTN celebrated its 10th year of existence in South Sudan in June last year.

When contacted by 211 Check via WhatsApp for the above promotional prizes. MtnSSD customer centre in South Sudan disputed the prizes and subsequently warned its customers about fake activities/business circulating on social media on behalf of the company’s name. 

“No, please be informed that it’s not from MTN.” Keep away from that unreliable information because it’s dangerous. ” “We appreciate you reaching out to us MTNSS,” reads the WhatsApp message from MTN South Sudan.

Another finding using Whois Search indicates that the website was created on May 07, 2022, updated two days later, and it will expire on May 07, 2023, with the website https://ican.org/epp # OK and URL www.west263.com registered in the province of Zhejiang, yet the official website for MTN South Sudan is https://mtn.com.ss.

Lastly, you can click on the link several times and keep winning the 300 euros. This is to lure you to share several times with audiences within your reach for them to achieve their set targets, but ideally, there’s nothing to win.  

Conclusion:

211 Check has investigated a claim stating that MTN South Sudan is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and found it to be a hoax. MTN South Sudan is just ten years old, and it marked its 10th anniversary in June 2021. Therefore, do not click and provide your contact address or personal information to suspicious online websites.

Fact-check: Is Mwijukye Robert Lubang part of a group that initiated a conflict in Magwi?

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By 211 Check Desk

A Facebook post by a page “Sixty 4 Tribes Press” with a photo of Mwijukwe Robert Lubang claiming that he was part of a group who initiated a conflict between pastoralists and farmers in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State is false.

“The conflict between pastoralists and farmers in Magwi County where dozens lost their lives and hundreds of wounded were initiated by active military officers in the SSPDF as shown by their Identification Cards,” reads the caption of the Facebook post that contained both his nationality certificate and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) Identity Card.

The post did not give further details. 

Screenshot of the misleading post

However, in reply to the post, Mwijukye commented that the information was fake and should be disregarded. “Disregard it. Fake,” he said in a comment on the post.

A statement from Robert’s brother, Lodiong David Lubang says that the picture of the documents shared on social media were taken by an officer at the Nimule border as his brother signed out to go attend the burial of his mother-in-law in Uganda.

“The very photo shared was taken by one clearence officer of his cadre at the Nimule border. Why he released it is not known, but I can assert and say that the information is false,” Mwijukwe’s brother, Lodiong David said in a statement shared with 211 Check.

Media reports on the latest conflict between pastoralists and local farmers by Eye Radio and The City Review quoting Authorities in Eastern Equatoria State could not establish the parties to the conlict.

211 Check has looked into a claim that Mwijukye Robert Lubang is part of a group who initiated a conflict in Magwi and finds it to be false. Lodiong David Lubang, Robert’s brother says Robert is in Uganda attending his mother-in-law’s burial.

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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: Achai Wiir not giving all South Sudanese artists $ 2000 each this year

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Achai Wiir, via her verified Facebook page, asserted that the post shared about her giving all South Sudanese artists $ 2000 each this year is fake news.

By Kepa Benjamin Edward

A social media post shared on Facebook by Insight Juba, an unregulated blog, claiming that Achai Wiir, a South Sudanese businesswoman and socialite plans to give all South Sudanese artists $ 2000 each this year is false.

The post which first surfaced on the 20th of April 2022 avers that the decision came after a group of Achai Wiir’s close associates informed her of the need to financially help the artists so as to push them to the next level. It got over 1.3K interactions, 295 comments and 20 shares.

“Achai Wiir to give all South Sudanese artists $ 2000 each this year. This comes after a group of her close associates informed her of the need to financially help the artists so as to push them to the next level. The project will be spearheaded by her brother,” reads in part the post that has since been debunked by both Achai Wiir and her brother.

Screenshot of the misleading Facebook post

When the post first unfolded it created a debate on social media about whether it was valid or fake. However, there are multiple reasons to question it.

First, the post isn’t satisfactory with shallow details. It has no specific dates. Second, the claim was not shared on Achai Wiir’s verified Facebook account as the case has been with her previous projects.

Achai Wiir re-shared the post by Insight Juba and stated that the claim was clearly fake news.

Her brother, Alor, told 211 Check via phone that the news was untrue.

It’s not the first time for social media users to question similar posts from Insight Juba. 211 Check has repeatedly debunked posts from them. Recently, they were fact-checked by USA TODAY here.

Conclusion 

211 Check has looked into the post claiming that Achai Wiir wants to give all South Sudanese artists $ 2000 each this year and found it to be false. Achai Wiir posted on her verified Facebook page that the claim was FAKE NEWS.

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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.

This fact-check has been produced as part of our incubation program under Code for Africa

Fact-check: This plane with the South Sudan flag and luggage on top is ‘digitally altered’

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A Facebook post showing a plane with luggage on top, posted by a social media user on the evening of April 21, 2022, is photoshopped and meant for satire.

By William Afani Paul

A Facebook post last evening left the audience talking after claiming to show a plane with a South Sudan flag and extra luggage tied to it.

Posted on April 21, 2022,  the image depicts a plane with a South Sudan flag carrying luggage on top.

“I am back in Juba; those who always react peacefully to my posts may come for their perfumes and other gifts. In fact, the plane could not carry everything, but we tried including extra luggage at the back of the aircraft,” says the caption of the post, which has more than 250 interactions, 150 comments, and 6 shares.

While the Facebook user who posted the photo, is known for his satirical and sarcastic posts, there was no disclaimer on the post that stated the photo was satirical, fake, or meant as a joke.

The post went viral shortly after it was posted. It was shared by a personal profile here (over 25 interactions, 45 comments and a share) and South Sudan Anataban, a controversial Facebook media and news Facebook page. It got over 1,200 interactions, 207 comments and 48 shares.

Screenshot of the misleading post

However, a Google reverse image search shows that the plane belongs to an Iranian airline called “Atrak Air”.

Original photo of the airline

Atrak Air was founded in 1993 with its headquarters in Ekbatan town, Tehran, Iran. The airline finally commenced services in 2013 with flights to three destinations with further services being added. As of summer 2018, Atrak Air suspended its operations.

The original image of the plane was digitally altered to include the South Sudan flag and the luggage tied to it.

CONCLUSION

211 Check has looked into an image in a Facebook post of a plane with the South Sudan flag and luggage tied to it and finds it to be digitally altered.

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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.

This fact-check has been produced as part of our incubation program under Code for Africa

Fact-check: This image does not show vehicles submerged in floodwater following today’s rain in Juba

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The image shows an incident in South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, when it was hit by deadly floods in November 2016 with local media reporting the death of several people.

By Ochaya Jackson

A photo shared on Facebook this afternoon by South Sudan TMZ, a Facebook and some personal profile claiming to show vehicles submerged in floodwater following today’s rain in Juba is false.

“Juba is booming walai after heavy rain poured this morning,” claims a Facebook user in a caption that followed the misleading image.

Screenshot of misleading Facebook post
Screenshot of misleading Facebook post

A Google reverse image search returns several results of when the image was previously used especially in stories related to South Africa.

The earliest version was when the photo was run with a story by Africa News about a flood on October 11th, 2016, in South Africa. The flood happened in Johannesburg, South Africa’s capital (Gauteng province).

The same photo also ran with a story on January 19th, 2019, about impacts of flood causes and prevention in South Africa.

The photo was used on January 10, 2022, by this website, in an article on the flood causes and prevention in South Africa.

Again City News ran the footage of the image on its YouTube channel on November 10th, 2016, regarding the flood in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Conclusion:

False. The image does not show vehicles submerged in floodwater following today’s rain in Juba. It shows an incident in South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, when it was hit by deadly floods in November 2016 with local media reporting the death of several people.

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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.

This fact-check has been produced as part of our incubation program under Code for Africa.

Fact-check: Civil Service Commission not recruiting. The job advertisement is a hoax

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The “Civil Service Commission,” though provided for in the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan has not been established yet. The Ministry of Public Service does its role.

By 211 Check Desk

A job advertisement making rounds on social media claiming that a so-called “Civil Service Commission” in the Republic of South Sudan is recruiting over 6,500 potential candidates to fill vacant positions in various government parastatals is a hoax.

The advertisement which first appeared on Facebook on Monday, 18th April 2022 states that job applicants should send their detailed CVs and cover letters to an email before 25th April 2022.

Fake Job Advertisement

However, the job advertisement is a hoax because it doesn’t come from an existing and legitimate government body. The government announces job openings via state media and public notice boards.

The “Civil Service Commission” though provided for in the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan has not been established yet. The Ministry of public service does its role.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into a job advertisement claiming that a Civil Service Commission in South Sudan is recruiting over 6,500 workers and finds it to be a hoax.

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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.

This fact-check has been produced as part of our incubation program under Code for Africa.

Fact-check: Ministry of Petroleum Undersecretary’s resignation letter is ‘fake’

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The Ministry of Petroleum said on its Facebook page that the letter purportedly showing the resignation of Awow Daniel Chaung was fabricated.

By Emmanuel Wani Yusif

Tens of social media users have shared a fake letter purportedly from the undersecretary at the ministry of petroleum, Awow Daniel Chuang appearing to state that he has resigned from his position in the revitalised transitional government of national unity.

The letter dated 20th April 2022, which went viral on social media last night claimed that the undersecretary at the ministry of petroleum, Awow Daniel Chuang has relinquished his position citing dissatisfaction with being demoted from ministerial position to undersecretary which undermines his credentials in the hierarchy.

“I, Hon. Awow Daniel Chaung, do hereby submit my resignation letter to the leadership of R-TGoNU as undersecretary in the ministry of petroleum with the effect of the date April 20/04/2022…,” partly reads the letter that has since been refuted by the ministry of petroleum.

Fake Letter Screenshot

When the letter first appeared, some social media users suggested it might be fake and there were several reasons to question its authenticity.

Firstly, the letter lacks the addresser’s address or letterhead – rather it starts directly with a date, unlikely for such an important letter. 

Secondly, the command of grammar and letter alignment are unusual and unlikely to be used by an official of the undersecretary’s calibre. The letter also lacks a stamp which should have been the case since he was holding the post at the time of resignation.

The ministry of petroleum confirmed the letter was false on its official Facebook page. 

In a statement published on the ministry of petroleum’s Facebook page, it refuted the authenticity of the claim saying the content and the signature in the letter are fake and baseless.

“This serves to inform the General Public, especially, the Media Houses that, the circulating letter with its content and signature is fake and baseless. Hon. Eng. Awow Daniel Chuang, still the able Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, Republic of South Sudan, Juba” reads the statement seen by 211 Check

It is not the first time supposed letters from government officials have been faked online. Similar letters have been debunked by 211 Check in the past.

CONCLUSION

211 Check has looked into the letter claiming that the Undersecretary at the ministry of petroleum has resigned and found it to be false. The Ministry of Petroleum said on its Facebook page that the letter purportedly showing the resignation of Awow Daniel Chaung was fabricated.

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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.

This fact-check has been produced as part of our incubation program under Code for Africa.

Fact-check: This photo was not taken in a public hospital in South Sudan

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A photo of newborn babies laid on plastic chairs allegedly in a public hospital in South Sudan is FALSE. The picture emanated from Kawempe General Referral Hospital in Uganda in August 2019.

By Emmanuel Bida

A photo shared on WhatsApp about newly born babies on chairs allegedly in a public hospital in South Sudan is FALSE.

The photo was in fact taken at the Kawempe General Referral Hospital, Uganda in August 2019.

“Hello, 211 Check, can you verify for me this photo whether it was taken in one of the public hospitals in South Sudan?” reads a tip received by 211 Check via WhatsApp.

Misleading Image Shared on WhatsApp

A Google reverse image search on the photo returned results showing that the photo of the newborn babies laid on plastic chairs was actually not from any South Sudan hospital but from Kawempe General Referral Hospital, Uganda in August 2019.

The Ugandan government, through its ministry of health, had reacted to the incident.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into a photo of newborn babies laid on plastic chairs, allegedly in a public hospital in South Sudan, and found it to be FALSE. The picture emanated from Kawempe General Referral Hospital in Uganda in August 2019.

We advise that any information that has not been reported by various notable broadcast, print or electronic media in South Sudan should be consumed with scepticism.

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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: Business grant scam in South Sudan resurfaces on Facebook

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In February 2022, 211 Check debunked the same business grant and reported the page to Facebook for removal. However, six days ago, another page was created and is running an ad about the same grant. A media official at the Ministry of Finance and Planning says the Facebook page running the advert is fake. 

By Emmanuel Bida Thomas

A sponsored Facebook post on a page called “Ministry of Finance and Planning, South Sudan” purporting that it is giving out entrepreneurial and agricultural grants of up to three million dollars to small businesses in South Sudan is a hoax.

The advert claims that the grants in an effort to promote investment, agribusiness and economic empowerment is a partnership between USAID and Global Entrepreneurship Network.

“We, therefore, advise entrepreneurs and farmers to take advantage of this great opportunity to apply for the grants by clicking on this link…,” partly reads the hoax published on Monday, 11th April 2022 that has since attracted over 500 interactions, 30 comments and 10 shares.

Screenshot of the hoax

They then direct users to fill in a google form, which requires applicants to provide personal details, such as name, phone number, email address and physical location, as well as the estimated cost of the business project they want to undertake.

Screenshot of the Google Form

When contacted by 211 Check, Maal Maker, a media official at the Ministry of Finance and Planning said the Facebook page running the advert is fake. He says updates from the ministry are shared on the minister’s social media accounts at the moment.

“The grant is a hoax. Currently, we have the minister’s Facebook page and Twitter accounts on his names,” the media official said.

The ‘Page transparency’ section of the false Facebook page reveals that it was created on April 5, 2022, whereas South Sudan’s Ministry of Finance & Planning verified Facebook page was created on March 30, 2020.

We can also find a link to the finance ministry’s genuine Facebook page here.

In February this year, 211 Check debunked a similar post from another imposter Facebook account going by the name “South Sudan’s Ministry of Finance and Planning created on 24th February 2022.

Do not fill out the form and disregard the information. You can also by reporting the post and page to Facebook for removal.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into a Facebook post claiming that the Ministry of Finance and Planning, USAID and Global Entrepreneurship Network is giving grants to small and medium scale businesses and finds it to be FALSE

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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.

This fact-check has been produced as part of our incubation program under Code for Africa.

Fact-check: Was this a thief on a street light in Juba? No.

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By 211 Check Desk

Introduction

A photo allegedly of a thief on a street light pole avoiding beating in Juba is FALSE.

The photo shared on Facebook on March 28, 2022 by Insight Juba, a news and media website got over 180 interactions, 44 comments and 14 shares.

A screenshot of the misleading post taken on March 29, 2022

It shows a group of people looking up a street light where what looks to be a human is resting.

The post’s picture caption reads: “A thief climbed a street light pole to avoid beating in ( maybe Juba 🤷🏿‍♂️).” 

Findings:

Google reverse image searches found the picture in a tweet from March 08, 2019, by a Kenyan politician.

He captioned the picture. “Roho ni Moja jameni. Pictured is a thief avoiding being lynched by an angry mob.”

The photo was also shared in similar tweets on 23rd March 2022, Mar 12, 2022, here and also here.

Conclusion:

The photo allegedly of a thief on a street light pole avoiding beating in Juba is FALSE. The image is from March 2019 in Kenya.

#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 not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ 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.

This fact-check has been produced as part of our Africa Fact-checking Alliance incubation program under Code for Africa.