Police dismiss ‘mosquito tablet’ deaths in Khayelitsha as fake news

‘Claims are made that these tablets are sold by Zimbabwean nationals in Khayelitsha. SAPS have no record of these fatalities and wish to dispel this as fake news which cannot be substantiated,’ said police.

Oct 14, 2022 - 13:42
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Police dismiss ‘mosquito tablet’ deaths in Khayelitsha as fake news

The Cape Town police warned that a voice note and photographs circulating on social media platforms that claim Zimbabwean people in Khayelitsha are behind a spate of mosquito tablet deaths is fake news.

MOSQUITO TABLET DEATHS A SOCIAL MEDIA HOAX

The social media hoax claims that the people lying on the ground in the photographs died after coming into contact with tablets meant to protect humans against mosquitoes.

“Claims are made that these tablets are sold by Zimbabwean nationals in Khayelitsha. SAPS have no record of these fatalities and wish to dispel this as fake news which cannot be substantiated,” said South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut.

Traut asked the public to refrain from spreading any information that is not authenticated by the authorities as it could lead to unnecessary panic or animosity in communities.

A cursory Facebook search for the keywords “mosquito tablet” pulls up what is likely the same photographs referred to by the police. The photos show dark tablets next to a series of collapsed individuals.

The Facebook version of the hoax claims that the alleged fatal mosquito tablet is being imported to Nigeria by unnamed “wicked marketers.” There is no mention of Zimbabweans as is the case in South Africa.

In June 2022, the Cape Town police also cautioned the public against the spread of fake news on social media after e-hailing driver Abongile Mafala was brutally killed in Parkwood. His death was likely the result of false kidnapping messages.

READ MORE: Parkwood mob attack: Arrests made after killing of Abongile Mafalala

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