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Information, Fact-Checking and Media Literacy Portal in local languages.
True, at least 1 person killed during clashes linked to a funeral in the Ebola context in Beni/Païda
“"Kuko fille amepata masasi ku cimetière Katula/Paida. Police yenye ilikuwa na accompagné équipe ya riposte njo imepiga masasi ovyo ovyo. Kuko groupe yenye ilikuwa na réclamé kuona corps avant enterrement. Fille mwenye ana pâta masasi niwa Cité Belge. Il y a plusieurs…”
On social media, especially via WhatsApp, photos and videos have been circulating showing a young teenage girl struck by bullets. Internet users claim that she had just died following gunfire from the Congolese National Police, who were cracking down on an escalation between its personnel escorting a team...
No, NGO workers do not throw pills down toilets to transmit the Ebola virus
“Are NGO agents throwing tablets into toilets to spread Ebola?”
The voice note circulating on WhatsApp claiming that health workers are spreading the Ebola virus by throwing tablets into toilets is false and lacks any factual basis. Verifications carried out by VokaCheck, Factualité Afrique's fact-checking platform, confirm that this audio is part of...
The polio vaccine makes children sterile in Goma
“Ba vaccins oyo bazali kopesa bana na Goma eza pona koboma bana to kopesa bango bolela.”
WHO and the DRC Ministry of Health confirm that the vaccines used are safe and certified. No studies establish a link between the polio vaccination and sterility.
Total closure of the Kinshasa–Brazzaville border
“Habari za kwamba mpaka wa Kinshasa na Brazzaville umefungwa kabisa kuanzia leo.”
The Directorate-General for Migration denies any closure. Traffic at the Beach Ngobila crossing is continuing according to the usual schedule.
A $5 tax on the use of WhatsApp
“Leta asengi lifuti ya ba dollars 5 po na kosalela WhatsApp na Lingala.”
Neither the Ministry of Digital Economy nor ARPTC has introduced a tax on the use of messaging applications. No regulatory text establishes this.
Water cut in Mbuji-Mayi: claims that water is poisoned
“Nanku mwayi wa REGIDESO mu Mbuji-Mayi udi ne sumu, kukanwa to.”
REGIDESO did indeed carry out a temporary shut-off to clean the filters. The water distributed after treatment contains no toxic substances: the rumour distorts a real event.
Postponement of the electoral calendar announced by the CENI
“CENI has reportedly postponed all elections by a year.”
An adjustment to the calendar was indeed published, but it concerns certain local operations, not the entire electoral cycle. The circulating message strips away this context.
20,000 FC banknotes are being withdrawn from circulation
“The Central Bank is reportedly withdrawing 20,000 Congolese franc banknotes as of next week.”
The Central Bank of the Congo has announced no such withdrawal. The message recycles an old 2002 press release concerning damaged bank notes.
Cholera epidemic: salt in water protects against the disease
“Kunywa maji ya chumvi kunakinga kipindupindu, madaktari wamesema.”
False and dangerous. Salt water does not prevent cholera and worsens dehydration. Only safe drinking water, hand hygiene and oral rehydration provide protection.
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