25 Mar 2020

 Of recent, social media has been abuzz with information relating to outbreak of the coronavirus. 

As part of a global village, Botswana is not immune to the growing trends of social ills among them misinformation and fake news. 

Botswana Police Service’ public relations officer, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube confirmed in an interview that since outbreak of the coronavirus, scammers took to online platforms to pursue criminal acts. 

He said even though the police had not yet recorded criminal acts committed by those claiming to be health officials or any other officials engaged in fighting COVID-19, the International Police unit (Interpol) had issued a statement advising the general public to be cautious.

Assistant Commissioner Motube said the fraudsters would take advantage of any given opportunity to swindle people of their hard-earned cash and even put their lives at risk. 

He, therefore, advised people to be cautious when buying online products such as sanitisers, face masks and any other products recommended as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus. 

He said some of the latest trends included phone calls from people claiming to be from some health facilities. 

He said such people would solicit money from unsuspecting members of the public with claims that it would cover medical costs for a family member or relative who would have been admitted on suspicions of coronavirus infection.

Assistant Commissioner Motube also warned certain individuals who were fond of using social media platforms to communicate misleading information. 

He said some even went to the extent of advertising certain products claiming that they could be used as sanitisers and even cure corona virus.  

He said some received and without hesitation shared such information before establishing the credibility of sources. For that reason, Assistant Commissioner Motube said ignorance of the law was not an excuse for someone to do wrong. 

“Whoever shares misleading information, even though not the originator will equally face the wrath of the law.  Be cautious of what you share on social media,” he said. 

With regard to updating the general public on COVID-19, Assistant Commissioner Motube said health practitioners were assigned to update the people on any development relating to the pandemic. “Even the journalists broadcast and share information from credible sources,” he said.  

Assistant Commissioner Motube said section 59 (1) of the Penal Code stated that ‘any person who publishes any false statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the peace is guilty of an offence. Section 59 (2) also stated that it shall be a defence to a charge under section (1) if the accused proves that, prior to publication, he took such measures to verify the accuracy of such statement, rumour or report as to lead him reasonably to believe that it was true. 

In an effort to promote social change on the use of ICT platforms, In Future Foundation recently launched an innovative platform to alert Batswana on the ever-increasing dangers associated with the internet. 

In Future Foundation, a non-governmental organisation promoting social change introduced a public education campaign dubbed eBotho Digital Citizens. 

According to Mr David Moepeng, the platforms sensitised society on the importance of digital citizenship. Mr Moepeng said the platform advocated on the safe and responsible use of the internet and therefore raising awareness on cybersecurity.

He said it was unfortunate that during these challenging times, some people were using ICT platforms to communicate misleading information. ends