HERMANUS – Spreading fake news relating to the Covid-19 pandemic is a criminal offence, and can land one a stiff fine, up to six months in jail, or both.
Captain Fadila September, spokesperson for Hermanus police, emphasised this strongly after fake news concerning a Covid-19 patient being transported by ambulance from Food Lovers Market in the Whale Coast Mall did the rounds over the weekend. September says no formal charge was laid in connection with the incident.
Dino Petim, co-owner of Food Lovers Market, said some of his employees alerted him to the rumours being shared on social media.
“We tried to get as much information about it as possible,” he said, “and commented on the post which made the false claims.” Petim said although he saw the incident in a very serious light no complaint about it had been filed with the police. “We don’t have the names of the people so we can’t lay a charge,” he pointed out.
After the fake news was spread, said Petim, fewer customers visited the store on Sunday and Monday.
He gave the assurance that strict measures had been put in place to ensure the safety and health of his customers and staff, saying: “Our team is healthy. Any team members that feel unwell either on arrival at work – or during the working day – will be asked to go home and consult their doctor immediately. Our team is ready and able to welcome you into the store and provide you with the best in fresh produce.”
Petim said these measures would be augmented with see-through plastic screens erected at till points.
“Our staff members will also receive disposable masks,” he added.
News24 reported a man who had posted a video on social media urging people not to be tested for Covid-19, because test kits were possibly contaminated, had been arrested.
The report said police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters confirmed the 55-year-old man was expected to appear in court on Tuesday, following his arrest the previous day by police from Parow, Cape Town.
“The arrest relates to a video disseminated through various social media platforms purporting contamination of Covid-19 test kits,” Peters said.
News24 also reported that the DA had pressed charges against the man on Monday, saying these criminal charges were “meant to send a strong message to South Africans that the spreading of fake news would not be tolerated.
“Spreading fake news, as this person has done, is against the Covid-19 Disaster Management Regulation 11 (5), which prohibits and criminalises the spread of fake news pertaining to efforts to combat this pandemic.”
Section 11 (5) of Regulations under the Disaster Management Act 2002 states clearly it is an offence “to publish a statement through any medium with the intention to deceive about Covid-19, anyone’s Covid-19 infection status or government measures to address the pandemic. The penalty is a fine or imprisonment for six months, or both.”Anyone who receives news they suspect may be fake can report it to fakenewsalert@dtps.gov.za or WhatsApp 067 966 4015.
Be sure to include a link or screenshot of the social media post, article or document.
