Tag Archive for: #FactCheck

THIS IS NOT JUBA FREEDOM BRIDGE211 Check

Fact-Check: This image is not an aerial view of Freedom Bridge in Juba

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The image is of the Stueng Trang-Kroch Chhmar Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, a 1,131-meter-long and 13.5-meter-wide bridge spanning across the Mekong River and connecting Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum provinces in southeastern Cambodia.

By Emmanuel Bida Thomas

A Facebook post on Thursday, 25th November 2021 with an image purportedly of the Freedom Bridge in Juba is FALSE

“South Sudan government unveils the new Freedom Bridge in the Kator-lologo area. The bridge is soon to be open before the end of the year,” reads a post shared by Ramciel Broadcasting, a news and media page with over 18,000 followers.

Misleading Facebook post on Thursday, 25th November 2021 with an image purportedly of the Freedom Bridge in Juba

However, a reverse image search of the photo returned several of the same images used for at least two days. The image is of the Stueng Trang-Kroch Chhmar Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, a 1,131-meter-long and 13.5-meter-wide bridge spanning across the Mekong River and connecting Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum provinces in southeastern Cambodia.

The bridge was inaugurated on 23rd November 2021 in the Stueng Trang district of Cambodia.

Meanwhile, the Freedom Bridge, named after the independence of the Republic of South Sudan and being built with a grant from the government of Japan is slated to be opened next year on 6th of July according to the Japanese Resident Engineer Omeda Norio.

Here are latest pictures of Freedom Bridge:

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into image purportedly of the Freedom Bridge in Juba 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.

260370917_426395955658036_3316745237288104446_n211 Check

Fact-Check: Images of wounded man not taken from South Sudan

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By Charles Lotara

Disturbing images of a man under intensive care unit are being peddled by social media platforms with claims that the man was found unconscious in part of South Sudan.

False Information Being Peddled on Facebook

On Tuesday evening, Insight Juba, a Facebook page with over 16k followers boldly claimed that the images are those of Deng Wol Deng, a university graduate from Western Bhar-el-Ghazal State who got ambushed along Juba – Nimule Highway.

In another staggering claim, the page says the victim in the images was on his way to Eastern Equatoria to assist a group of physically challenged children when his car was attacked along the road leaving two people dead with one survivor.

With scant details of the incident and with no citation of official sources, the page called on the general public to avoid travelling along the Juba – Nimule Highway and urged security forces to provide protection.

Insight Juba, which was created in 2020, cited 64 Tribes, another Facebook page as the primary source of their story.

However, a quick search through the Facebook page of 64 Tribes in relation to the story returned no result.

There have been no official reports of armed violence along the Juba – Nimule Highway in the last two months.

A geo-location search using Pic2Map returned no EXIF data for obvious reasons. Pic2Map requires unaltered photo files in order to process the data, which is most likely not the case with this image. And, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter strip out EXIF data from uploaded photos, which is true of the images circulating.

But a Google reverse search showed that the incident the man in the picture was caught up in actually happened in Omdurman during the #ParadeNovember2021 when Sudanese took to the streets to register their displeasure with the military plot to bequeath civilian rule.

The situation led to civil unrest with an unconfirmed number of people getting either injured or killed. The images were first posted on 22/11/2021 within 6:47PM by two Twitter accounts all claiming that the man whose identity was not established at the time, was in a critical condition and admitted at Al-Waad Hospital in Omdurman, one of the most populated cities in Sudan.

But both Twitter accounts carry pseudonyms and their bios only imply that they are pro-revolution. However, this does not disqualify the possibility of the images being taken in Sudan as they first appeared on Sudanese-run Twitter platforms.

#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.

IMG-20211120-WA0015211 Check

Hoax: The Bank of South Sudan is NOT giving 100,000 pounds to lucky winners for its 10th anniversary

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Though it is true that the Bank of South Sudan is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the 100,000 pounds cash prize to lucky winners is a HOAX, and NOT LEGITIMATE. If you receive such links, kindly ignore them and let others know about such online fraud. 

By 211 Check Editorial Team

A promotional website link being shared on WhatsApp claiming that people stand chances of getting 100,000 pounds through a questionnaire as the Bank of South Sudan celebrates its 10th anniversary is a HOAX.

The hoax through an unrelated site leads to a page with the following multiple choice questions:

1. Do you know about the Bank of South Sudan?

2. How old are you?

3. How do you think of Bank of South Sudan?

4. Are you male or female?

After answering the questions, you see a congratulatory message asking you to select a correct box with your prize inside.

After selecting a box, it then tells you have won 100,000 pounds and that you should tell 5 groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp about the promotion. They claim the gift will be delivered within 5-7 days.

Fake Pages

However, the promotion is not legitimate, it is a hoax. For some online users wondering what makes the promotion a hoax, below are tips of facts about this online fraud.

#Fact1: The link is highly suspicious.

If you closely look at the link, it goes to a site which is not an original or official Bank of South Sudan website link or domain. You should note that the official website for the Central Bank of South Sudan is https://www.boss.gov.ss/

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

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

#Fact2: Bank of South Sudan’s 10th Anniversary was in July 2021

Bank of South Sudan was established in July 2011 and it has not been celebrating its anniversary since then.

#Fact3: The Bank of South Sudan doesn’t offer prizes or awards. The Bank of South Sudan released a statement on Wednesday, 18/08/2021 following a similar hoax in August this year that it was warning the public “about fraudulent activities being perpetrated in its name on social media through a fraud scheme”

“This scam uses Bank of South Sudan’s brand names and logo in order to make the prize look legitimate. They claim that the BoSS offers prizes worth 300 thousand United States Dollars. This is not true, the BoSS does not offer prizes, awards, or funds,” reads a statement shared by the Bank of South Sudan through its Facebook Page.

#Fact4: The promotion page has so many troubling clues

If you click on the link, you will be led to a page, claiming you will get a chance to win 100,000 pounds – a page that is full of grammatical mistakes, something an actual Bank of South Sudan website would not have.

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

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

#Fact5: You will always win the 100,000 pounds prize

You can try the contest any number of times, and you will ALWAYS win the 100,000 pounds.

Why? Because the next step involves you sharing this with 5 groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp. So, no matter how many times you participate, you will ALWAYS win the free 100,000 SSP. Do you think that’s the case with a real contest? Of course NO!

#Fact6: Website information through Whois Search

The WHOIS information of the imposter website reveals it was registered on November 19, 2021, in the United States while the legitimate Bank of South Website is https://www.boss.gov.ss/ 

Conclusion:

Though it is true that the Bank of South Sudan is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the 100,000 pounds cash prize to lucky winners is a HOAX, and NOT LEGITIMATE. If you receive such links, kindly ignore them and let others know about such online fraud. 

Do not provide your account details or personal identification information to a scammer. Don’t share or click suspicious links on the internet.

#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.

259047083_422888492675449_2375626077867734853_n211 Check

Fact-Check: Does this image show people pushing a plane at Yei airstrip? No.

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A Facebook image purporting to show people pushing a plane at Yei airstrip is FALSE.

The post shared on Wednesday, 17th November was partly captioned, “This pic was taken early today from Yei International Airport…”The author, in his post, was wondering why the airstrip’s runway was in a poor shape.

However, Google reverse image search results show that the picture was used at least two years before now.

The image was shared on 7th and 13th October 2019 on Facebook and Twitter respectively describing an event that happened in Somalia.

An official at Yei airstrip also dismissed the claim as ‘NOT TRUE’. He says the incident depicted in the picture didn’t happen there.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked into an image claiming to show a plane being pushed at Yei airstrip and finds it to be FALSE.

SAUNA FACEBOOK POST211 Check

Fact-Check: Does going to the sauna cause male infertility?

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A medical expert tells 211 Check that normally, Exposure to high temperatures, like hot baths and saunas can cause the temperature of the testes to become too hot. This can kill sperm and lower sperm count. However, this effect is only temporary, and counts will go back to normal once the hot tub is avoided.

By 211 Check Editorial Team

“Going to the sauna can cause infertility in men. Your balls are not designed for that kind of temperature!” reads a Facebook post.

Facebook Post Claiming that going to the Sauna causes infertility in men

211 Check, fact-checked the claim:

Findings:

A medical practitioner, in Juba, Case Nicholas Thomas, tells 211 Check that “It is not proven yet, but it is believed that going to the sauna for hot tubs or hot baths can raise the temperature of the testes, eventually killing sperm and lowering sperm count!”

According to him, no study has shown that going to the sauna can cause infertility to men, it is just a belief of the people yet.

Another doctor, Lasu Kenyigo Sallah, tells 211 Check that normally, Exposure to high temperatures, like hot baths and  saunas can cause the temperature of the testes to become too hot. This can kill sperm and lower sperm count. However, this effect is only temporary, and counts will go back to normal once the hot tub is avoided.

He, however, warns that prolonged exposure has a significant effect in the long run. Men’s testicles hang outside basically because the temperature of the body is hot (35.6° to 36.8°). And also when the temperature outside is too cold, they will move inside. This is how they manage their economy. So, it is advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to sauna especially those in mid 30s and above.

A study, conducted by researchers at the University of Padova in Italy, published online in the journal Human Reproduction also says frequent visits to the sauna may lower men’s sperm count, although the effect appears to be temporary. 

Conclusion:

It is NOT PROVEN that going to the sauna can cause male infertility.

Still, most fertility experts would advise that men having trouble conceiving should keep their testicles cool. Hot baths, showers and wearing tight-fitting underwear can all raise the temperature of the testicles.

#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.

DID 30 IDPS DIE OF HUNGER211 Check

Fact-Check: Have 30 IDPs died of hunger in Ezo County, Western Equatoria State?

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The report that Thirty IDPs from Tambura died of hunger in Ezo County is FALSE and MISLEADING. Both the Ezo County Commissioner and the County County Coordinator for the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission say 15 people died.

By 211 Check Editorial Team

The Dawn Newspaper, an English Daily in South Sudan reported on Tuesday, 9th November that 30 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Tambura County had died of hunger in Tambura, Western Equatoria State.

The Dawn Newspaper Headline on Tuesday, November 09. 2021

“Thirty IDPs from Tambura die of hunger in Ezo County,” reads a headline on the Dawn Newspaper. 

“At least over 25 internally displaced persons are said to have died of starvation in Ezo County of Western Equatoria,” partly reads the report.

Findings:

When contacted by 211 Check, Ezo County Commissioner, Abel Sudan said they have only verified 15  Internally displaced people who have died of starvation across Ezo county.

“Yes, the accurate number of people that can be verified who have lost their lives as a result of hunger on the ground is 15 as of Saturday, 6th November 2021  upon completion of our assessment,” Abel Sudan told 211 Check via phone on Wednesday morning. “The Dawn Newspaper might have misquoted me,” he added.

He also told Radio Miraya on November 9th that 15 of the IDPs died of starvation

Siani Martin, the Coordinator for Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Ezo County also said in a written note seen by 211 Check that the leader of the Internally Displaced Persons reported a total of 15 deaths “without proper sickness” and linked to lack of food.

Conclusion

The report that Thirty IDPs from Tambura died of hunger in Ezo County is FALSE and MISLEADING. Both the Ezo County Commissioner and the County Coordinator for the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission say 15 people died of hunger related issues.

#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.

DID MABIOR GARANG FORM NCSS DAYS AFTER MEETING KIIR211 Check

Fact-Check: Did Mabior Garang establish his organization after meeting President Kiir?

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National Conversation South Sudan, Mabior’s organisation, was registered by the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in March 2021. This was months ago before his recent meeting with President Salva Kiir

By 211 Check Editorial Team

In a tweet on Wednesday, 3rd November, Eye Radio reported that Mabior John Garang de Mabior has established an organization days after meeting President Salva Kiir in Juba.

According to the report, Mabior is now the chairman of South Sudan National Conversation – a newly registered non-governmental organization based in Juba.

But, was the organisation truly established after Mabior’s meeting with President Kiir? Well, we checked it:

Findings:

A look at the organization’s digital platforms on Web, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter shows that it has been in existence long before now, at least from September 2020.

Further investigation also reveals that the National Conversation South Sudan was registered by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) on 24th March 2021 as a national organisation as seen in its registration certificate below:

Certificate of Registration for the National Conversation South Sudan

Conclusion:

The report that Mabior John Garang de Mabior established his organization days after meeting President Salva Kiir in Juba is FALSE and MISLEADING. Mabior’s organisation, the National Conversation South Sudan was legally registered in March 2021 months before this meeting.

#FactsMatter, Don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.To know more about our fact-checking process, visit:  https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/    or send us a WhatsApp Message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you a feedback.

FALSE CLAIM ABOUT JOHN FROG FROG APPEARING ON TOP 20 CHART SOUND CITY AFRICA211 Check

Fact-Check: Did John Frog feature in the Sound City Africa Top 20 Chart?

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Singer John Frog claimed two days ago that he featured in the Top 20 Chart of Sound City Africa on 26/10/2021. Did he really appear in the list or at least was there an October Top 20 Chart on Sound City Africa? Here is the truth:

By Emmanuel Bida Thomas

South Sudanese singer John Frog claimed two days ago in a Facebook post that he had featured in the Top 20 Chart of Sound City Africa. In the post that has since got 1,900 reactions, 194 comments and 7 shares, John Frog said, “We are trending in Lagos. The land of in-laws. Thanks Sound City Africa for Recognition. I really Appreciate”

Misleading Chart shared by John Frog

While most of his audience believed the singer indeed appeared in the list, some people were skeptical, with comments such as “Photoshop.” 211 Check decided to investigate.

Findings:

A look at the posters shared by the singer on his official Facebook page shows that the chart dated: 26th October 2021 is not genuine. It is a manipulation of the Sound City Africa Top 20 chart shared on its Twitter Handle on 16th April 2021.

The list is literally the same, the singer, John Frog and his graphics designer just changed the date from 16/04/2021 to 26/10/2021 and the No. 17 song from “WORLD – DANGBANA REPUBLIK & BELLA SHMURDA” to “KEBIIR WARA – JOHN FROG”

Original Chart 18/04/2021
Manipulated Chart 26/10/2021

                                   

Sound City Africa, a music and lifestyle television and radio network did not share any Top 20 Chart on 26th October 2021 as claimed by singer John Frog. We checked all its digital platforms but could not find an October Top 20 Chart.

Conclusion:

The claim by John Frog that he appeared on the top 20 Chart of Sound City Africa on 26th October 2021 is FALSE. He manipulated a 16th April 2021 Chart using a graphics software.

#FactsMatter, Don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know more about our fact-checking process, visit:  https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/   or send us a WhatsApp Message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you a feedback.

Bor Town Bans Trousers211 Check

Fact-Check: Have Authorities in Bor, Jonglei State banned women from wearing trousers and miniskirts?

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By 211 Check Editorial Team

For the past few weeks, women in Bor, Jonglei State have been banned from putting on trousers and/or miniskirts.

According to a disclaimer seen by 211 Check, “If your girlfriend or wife is coming here (Bor, Jonglei State) with trousers or miniskirts, let her prepare to be beaten by the army.”

We were contacted to verify.

Findings

When 211 Check contacted the head of joint operations in Bor, he said it was true that women in the area are no longer allowed to put on trousers or mini skirts.

“Modesty” is the reason. Brig. Gen. Ajak Ayuen who has been tasked to implement the order says. “We are restoring traditional dress culture that has been destroyed by young people,” he added.

Ajak Ayuen, head of joint operations force in Bor town says the order was from the state security committee.

Women found putting on trousers are usually asked to go back home and change whereas those who resist are usually arrested.

Conclusion

It is true that authorities in Bor, Jonglei State have banned the wearing of trousers and mini-skirts for women in the area.

#FactsMatter, Don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.
To know more about our fact-checking process, visit:  https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/   or send us a WhatsApp Message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you a feedback.

FALSE CLAIM ABOUT CHOL DENG THON OWNING A HOTEL IN NORWAY211 Check

Fact-Check: Who owns Thon Hotels in Norway?

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According to Wikipedia, the Thon Hotels (formerly known as Rainbow Hotels) is a Norwegian-based hotel chain. It is currently the 3rd largest hotel chain in Norway with 50-odd hotels in Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands owned by Olav Thon

By Emmanuel Bida Thomas

A Facebook post this afternoon claimed that the Thon Hotels in Norway are owned by the newly appointed Managing Director of the state owned Nile Petroleum. It said that Chol Deng Thon acquired the hotel using “oil money” in 2018.

“The current managing Director of NILEPET, Dr. Chol Deng Thon, owns a hotel worth million dollars in Norway. The hotel which he acquired through oil money in 2018 is currently the 3rd largest hotel in Norway. South Sudanese urged him to invest in the country to create jobs for them rather than building big business mansions abroad,” reads the post shared on Facebook.

Facebook Post claiming that Chol Deng Thon owns the Thon Hotels in Norway

Investigation:

According to Wikipedia, the Thon Hotels (formerly known as Rainbow Hotels) is a Norwegian-based hotel chain. It is currently the 3rd largest hotel chain in Norway with 50-odd hotels in Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands. 

The Thon Hotel chain was established in 1989 as part of the Olav Thon Group (Olav Thon Gruppen) which in turn is owned by the Olav Thon Foundation. The CEO is Olav Thon.

Olav Thon (born 29 June 1923 in Ål, Hallingdal) is a Norwegian real estate developer and listed in the Forbes list of billionaires as the 198th richest person in the world with a net worth of $6 billion as of March 2013. He is Norway’s richest person and his Olav Thon Group is Norway’s largest private real estate company, with 450 properties, including 60 hotels.[2][3] As of 12 March 2021, Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated his net worth at US$ 6.20 Billion, making him the 437th richest person in the world.

211 Check could not track any available business records of Chol Deng Thon, the new Managing Director of NilePet in Oslo, Norway. 

Conclusion:

The claim that Chol Deng Thon, NilePet Managing Director owns the Thon Hotel in Norway is FALSE. The Thon Hotels are owned by Olav Thon, a Norwegian real estate developer.

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

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

To know more about our fact-checking process, visit:  https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/  or send us a WhatsApp Message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you a feedback.