Fact Checked: Do South Sudan authorities have teargas?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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