DBE address rumours of ‘June school closures’ for South Africa
We’ve got another fake news alert to share with you: This time, it concerns the Department of Basic Education: They have been stung by chancers who have assumed their identity online, to spread false rumours about nationwide school closures during the month of June – playing on the fears surrounding a third wave of COVID-19 infections.
Will schools close down in June? Apparently not
A virus resurgences is already taking place amongst an unvaccinated South African population – and until millions more of us have had these jabs, lockdown measures will be implemented and strengthened based on the severity of the spread. However, it’s too early to say if schools will be forced into further closures this winter.
The ‘malicious’ message claims that an announcement is due from Minister Angie Motshekga, who would allegedly ‘close down schools today’, right up until Monday 28 June. However, the department has soundly rejected this message.
DBE blast ‘fake news’ claims
They state that these assertions are false, branding them a textbook example of ‘fake news’. As it stands, all classrooms and educational facilities remain open in Mzansi – so all you parents, teachers, and students can breathe a sigh of relief.
“The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is aware of a manipulated images doing the rounds, purporting to be an announcement from Minister Angie Motshekga. The announcement makes a false assertion that schools will close on Wednesday, and only reopen on 28 June… We condemn this message in the strongest terms.”
“The Department wishes to dismiss this image as FAKE NEWS and continues to urge members of the public to be vigilant and verify sources of information they read before sharing anything on social media. This type of malicious content is created with the express intent to cause confusion and mislead the public.” | DBE statement
[MEDIA STATEMENT] The Department condemns fake news on School closure@HubertMweli @ElijahMhlanga pic.twitter.com/KL7qgrdCYT
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) May 25, 2021
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