Tag Archive for: #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Is UNHCR running this poverty alleviation programme?

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No, the message circulating online is a hoax.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A widely circulated WhatsApp message claiming that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is running a poverty alleviation programme of up to KSh 107,736 thousand is a hoax.

Screenshot of the forwarded message.

On clicking the forwarded link, the site claims that the UN refugee agency has a government poverty alleviation subsidy and users are directed to a questionnaire that asks whether one knows UNHCR, the person’s age, one’s opinion about UNHCR, and the person’s gender.

The screenshot of the questionnaire

After answering the four questions, it directs one to randomly choose one of the six boxes to win the prize. 

The screenshots of the claim web pages

After that, it states that one needs to share with five groups or 20 friends on WhatsApp in order to inform them about the promotion, and it requires an address to complete the registration before the gift is to be delivered within 5-7 days.

211 Check Investigation

A keyword search using “UNHCR government poverty alleviation subsidy” returned no such programme or subsidy. 

However, there is a related refugee agency’s poverty alleviation coalition “for economic inclusion” in partnership with the World Bank and other 13 non-government organisations. 

The search result on Google also returned that the same claim was widely shared among WhatsApp users in Uganda in July 2023, which PesaCheck debunked as a hoax.

On further investigation, we found that the site’s Uniform Resource Locator (URL) link in the claim is flagged as dangerous and suspicious by Web Paranoid, a cyber security tool for checking the authenticity of the website. It also established that there is no link from the claim’s URL to any social media account or page, and the website was created less than half a year ago.

A Virustotal analysis of the claim’s URL also categorised it as malicious, malware, suspicious, and phishing. 

The advert’s url also uses an outdated protocol which is not secured and supported on some devices.

A Whois domain search of the site’s URL shows that the domain name, which is different from the UNHCR’s domain, was registered in March 2023 and expires next year in March 2024.

The screenshot shot of the claim link’s domain data

Meanwhile, the WHOIS information on the UNHCR’s global website shows that its domain was registered in May 1997, and expires in May 2024.

The screenshot of the UNHCR WhoIs data

The website domain name fortunecash.click is also not consistent with the URLs of official organisations or institutions which usually have ‘.org’ in their URLS as is the case with the authentic UNHCR website. 

It is clear that the domain does not match that of the legitimate UNHCR website, and there is no advertisement of such kind on its website including social media accounts.

Conclusion:

The site appears to have impersonated UNHCR’s poverty alleviation coalition program that seeks to empower refugees and host communities around the world to overcome poverty.

However, the claim that UNHCR is running a government poverty alleviation subsidy is a hoax designed as a phishing scam to lure people to provide their personal information.

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 important 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

Explainer: Is the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages harmful to human health?

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Writer:  Ochaya Jackson

A video shared on Facebook on December 15th, 2022, and still making the rounds on social media, claims that Coca-Cola, which is one of the sugar-sweetened beverages, is not fit for the human body.

The three-minute video shows a Coca-Cola drink being poured into a saucepan and is accompanied by text that reads: “I will never buy Coca-Cola again. I discovered the secret.”

The screenshot of the heating stove while Coca-Cola drink is being poured

The video features a female voice narration demonstrating the effects of heating Coca-Cola on a hot stove in a saucepan. The narrator warns people not to drink Coca-Cola while raising questions about its chemical composition. 

The video alleges that Coca-Cola contains sugar and other harmful chemicals for the body. However, it does not specify the exact nature of these chemicals in Coca-Cola drinks.

“Don’t take this. Do you know that you are in danger by taking it? I’m going to show you now why you can not take it. Look now, I’m going to put about two bottles in a pot, and I will show you the danger you are running. People often do not know what they are taking. What is really the composition of Coca-cola? This drink has its chemistry. It is not really good for [the] human body. When you take it you feel your blood pressure rise,” the female’s voice explanation about the Coca-Cola drink on the video claimed. Four people die of diabetes. It is something very dangerous. The whole world knows that the sugar level is very high. It does more damage to your health,” the narrator claims.  

Additionally, the video suggests Kappa Tea as a healthier alternative, emphasising that it is produced ‘without sugar’.

Coca-Cola falls under sugar-sweetened/carbonated beverages, along with other sodas with added sugar.

Investigation:

211 Check researched on Coca-Cola drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages, using publicly available data or literature on beverage drinks; and it gathered that excessive consumption of such drinks is unhealthy for the human body.

A study published in 2015 by the U.S.-based National Institute of Health, estimated that 184,000 people globally died due to sugary drink consumption. 

“Worldwide, the model estimated 184,000 deaths/year attributable to Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) consumption: 133,000 (126,000–139,000) from diabetes, 45,000 (26,000–61,000) from cardiovascular diseases, and 6,450 (4,300–8,600) from cancers. 5.0% of SSB-related deaths occurred in low-income, 70.9% in middle-income, and 24.1% in high-income countries,” indicates the study. 

Similarly, a 2016 study on rats examined the effects of Coca-Cola consumption on rodents and found that those who consumed the beverage developed kidney and liver malfunctions compared to rats that did not drink it. Notably, the study emphasized the need for further research to confirm whether these effects extend to humans.

Likewise, in 2018, the National Institute of Health published a literature review detailing the impact of sugary drinks on the brain. The review revealed that sugar-sweetened beverages increase the risk of stroke and dementia due to the compounds and chemicals they contain.

According to Medical News Today, regular consumption of sugary drinks can increase blood sugar levels and affect the brain’s pleasure centres in a manner similar to heroin. There is also a confirmed link between sugary drinks and diabetes and their adverse effects on kidney and liver activity.

However, the report suggests that moderate consumption of Coca-Cola and sugar-sweetened beverages has only a minimal impact on human health.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Australia, in one of its advisories, acknowledges that many of its beverages contain sugar and that moderate consumption is considered healthy. Nevertheless, excessive consumption is not advisable for human health.

“Many of our beverages contain sugar, which has kilojoules. While sugar is fine in moderation, too much of it isn’t good for anyone. Consuming too many kilojoules, including soft drinks with sugar, can contribute to weight gain,” it said on its website.

Further, Coca-Cola recommends a maximum of 150 milligrams per day, which, according to Mathaauditor and Flightpedia, equals 0.15 millitters. 

Fact-sheet

In 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) updated its guidelines on free sugar intake, recommending less than 10% of total daily energy consumption for adults and children. It further conditionally suggested reducing free sugar intake to less than 5%, equivalent to 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day, for better health.

Free sugars include those added to foods and drinks by manufacturers, cooks, or consumers and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juice concentrates. A single can of sugar-sweetened soda contains up to 40 grams (around ten teaspoons) of free sugar, according to the WHO.

According to a 2022 report by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay, cavities, gout, and arthritis. To maintain a healthy weight and dietary pattern, individuals are advised to limit their intake of sugary drinks.

Conclusion:

Research shows that excessive consumption of Coca-Cola or other sugar-sweetened beverages may harm human health, and moderate consumption is therefore advisable.

To maintain good health and a healthy weight, individuals should consume these drinks moderately to reduce the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular issues, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, obesity, and related illnesses.

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 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: A tornadic incident didn’t happen on Lake Victoria in July 2023

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No, this video was taken on Lake Bunyonyi in January 2019 during an occurrence called waterspout.

Writer: Jibi Moses

A video circulating on WhatsApp and Facebook showing a water body flashing water in the air, claimed to have taken place on Lake Victoria in July 2023, is false. 

The video shows people taking pictures and recordings, shouting, and ululating.  Some of the voices are heard crying in English…. “We are going to die,…… if we keep quiet it will come, it will continue…”

 The video accompanies the text: “This happened in Lake Victoria yesterday. What could it be?”

A screenshot of the video with a few follow-up comments. 

The follow-up comments on the video shared raised suspicion and prompted an investigation. 

Investigation:

211 Check ran a Google Lens Search on the video, bringing in multiple results, with videos and pictures of the same scene dating back to 2019.

According to various sites, the incident happened on Lake Bunyonyi and was termed a tornado.

In one report dated January 22, 2019, by the Monitor, a mainstream Ugandan newspaper, the incident was reported as ‘Panic as tornado hits Lake Bunyonyi.’

The story narrated how residents witnessed an unfamiliar occurrence on the lake during a rainy evening. This caused panic among residents as it was happening for the first time in the area. 

 “Mr. Didas Kyarikora, alias Swansea, another resident of Mugyera in Bufundi Sub County, Rubanda District, said that although he saw a cloud of white smoke, he could not figure out what it was. However, he added that an elder informed him that it was a tornado hitting the lake,” reads part of  the article. 

A screenshot of the article from the Monitor publication

Other sources that gazetted this moment are shown here and here.

The Uganda Media Centre, the agency facilitating communication of government policies, programmes, and projects to the public through the media, also reported the incident on Twitter but differed in how they explained it. According to them, the occurrence is called a waterspout.  

Upon tracing the difference between the two, this is what we discovered: to start with, they are both columns of rotating air. The main difference is in where they form. A tornado begins over land, while a tornadic waterspout develops over water or moves from the land to the water. There are also other types of waterspouts.

Waterspout formation typically occurs when cold air moves across the Great Lakes, resulting in large temperature differences between the warm water and the overriding cold air.

Marine Insight, a publication about nature, has this to say:

   “……Waterspouts can occur at any place all over the coastal regions of the world. There is no particular place, as per scientific explanation, where they are more likely to happen. However, despite that fact, some regions worldwide witness waterspouts more often than others. The Florida Keys, Cienfuegos Bay in Cuba, and the waters of the Great Lakes are the most common places where waterspouts have been spotted.”

Conclusion:

The claim that a tornado happened in July 2023 on Lake Victoria is false. The incident, a waterspout, happened on Lake Bunyonyi in Southwestern Uganda, bordering Rwanda, in 2019. The phenomenon is an intense columnar vortex that occurs over a body of water.

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: No evidence low sugar intake, hot lemon juice and organic coconut oil can cure cancer

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There is no scientific evidence that supports the claim. 

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino 

A message circulating on WhatsApp claims that a ‘Dr. Gupta’ says: “No one should die of cancer except due to carelessness.”

The message also lists some steps to back up the statement: The first step is to stop all sugar intake; without sugar in your body, cancer cells can die naturally. The second step is to drink hot lemon juice for three months before eating food, and the third step is to drink three tablespoons of coconut oil morning and night.

The claim, which has also been shared here on Facebook,  adds that the steps will eliminate cancer cells in the body.

Screenshot of the claims as shared on WhatsApp (2).

No, stopping sugar intake cannot kill cancer:

211 Check investigated the claim and discovered that, according to the US National Cancer Institute, cancer cells usually multiply quickly, which takes a lot of energy. The primary energy source in our bodies is glucose, which comes from sugar. Cancer cells also need lots of nutrients such as fats and amino acids. 

“Cancer cells, like all cells, require nourishment to flourish. Sugar is a significant fuel source but is far from the only one cancer needs,” says Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), a US-based research institute.

Can drinking hot lemon juice for three months cure cancer?

In the second step, the claim stated that hot lemon juice for three months could cure cancer.

Cancer Research UK, a registered charity that provides cancer information to the public, says that lemons contain properties like pectin, which, when modified, is an alternative therapy. 

Still, according to the National Center for Health Research, lemons are not proven or considered a remedy for fighting any type of cancer. No studies have been done to compare the effectiveness of lemon juice to chemotherapy. 

Can taking three tablespoons of organic coconut oil morning and night cure cancer?

The third step claims that taking three tablespoons of organic coconut oil morning and night will make the cancer ‘disappear’. The claim doesn’t specify how long this should be done.

The Harvard School of Public Health says that although coconut oil has many health benefits, they are tied to oil with a special formulation made of 100% medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which is not available in coconut oil usually found in commercial stores. Also, coconut oil mainly contains lauric acid, which is not an MCT but has been found to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells. However, it is not established as a cure. 

Furthermore, the  World Health Organization(WHO) fact sheet has not mentioned any scientific proof supporting lemon, a sugar-free diet, or organic coconut oil curing cancer.

211 Check also found debunks by Africa Check, Full Fact, and Factly, which disputed the claims and the doctor.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim that hot lemon water, sugar-free diets, and organic coconut oil can cure cancer unproven. The claim is a long-running social media hoax, and no scientific data or studies have shown that lemon, a sugar-free diet, and organic coconut oil can cure cancer.

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

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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.

South Sudan S.4 Results 2023: A Comprehensive Analysis of Performance by Gender, States, and Schools

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South Sudan’s S4 2023 results reveal Central Equatoria State’s dominance in top-performing schools and the highest number of students, with notable success in the science category.

Writer: Stephen Topua

Brace yourself for an enlightening journey as we delve into a comprehensive analysis of gender-based achievements, state-level triumphs, and the schools that paved the way for success in the 2022/23 South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) examinations results.

This data story highlights the students’ performances in the recently released South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE), also known as Senior Four (S.4) results. We look at the performance by gender, state and school.

The data used in the making of this data story is available here.

Feb 24, 2023, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction of the Republic of South Sudan released a press statement on the upcoming Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) examinations for March 2023. Thirty-five thousand four hundred fifty-nine (35,459) students were registered to participate in the exams in three hundred ninety-eight (398) schools across the states and administrative regions. 

However, the total number of students who sat for the S4 results in 2023 was 28,916, with Central Equatoria State accounting for 13,901 students or 48% of the total student population. 

Abyei and Pubor Administrative Region accounted for 255 and 38 students, respectively or a mere 1.01% of the total student population. This is highlighted in the chart below. 

Results by State

South Sudan has ten (10) states and three (03) Administrative areas, and we analyse the results based on these parts. The results are highlighted below. We display the performance index of each State. Central Equatoria had the highest performance index of 74.8%, while Pibor Administrative Area, which also had the least number of students, had the lowest performance index of 59.7%. Unity State, Ruweng Administrative Area, IDP Juba and UNS are not represented in this data. 

Top Performing Schools

Of the best-performing schools, except one (01) – (Laselie Boys from Lakes) are from Central Equatoria State. Among the top 10, Juba Dioceseaen was the best in the country, with an index of 85.8, with 134 candidates. Among the top 10, Darling Wisdom Academy had the highest number of students, with a total of 330, while Covenant Progress had the least number of students, with a total of 17. 

The average number of students among the top 10 schools is 115, with an average index of 84.867. this is illustrated in detail in the graph below

Top Performing Students

How was the performance of the students? We analyse that below.

In this section, we study several parameters:

Number of students in top 10 positions

A total of twenty (20) students shared the top ten (10) positions, a total of twelve (12) gents and eight (08) ladies. All but one student was from the science section. The best student was from Western Bahr el Ghazal, while eighteen (18) were from Central Equatoria. Lakes was the other state with a representative in the second position. 

A total of eight (08) schools were represented, with Brilliant Academy Secondary School having the highest number of students, a total of nine (09) out of twenty (20), or a whopping 45% of all students in the top 10 positions. This is represented below. 

Performance of female students 

Fourteen (14) students shared the top ten (10) female student positions, all from Central Equatoria State. Only seven (07) schools have students on this list. Darling Wisdom Academy and Brilliant Academy each have four (04) students on this list, while four (04) schools have one (01) student each.  This is illustrated in the chart below. 

Conclusion:

One of the findings from this data story is that Central Equatoria State (CES) has the highest number of schools, and the top-performing schools are also from Central Equatoria State (CES). 

The science category also produced the highest number of top-performing students, both in general and among female students. Many students were also sharing the top positions, indicating good performance among the top students.

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.

Fact-check: Is it necessary to cut any drug before taking it as stated?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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