Yeoville Clinic management urges public to desist from spreading false rumours

YEOVILLE – Rumours that two people had tested positive for the coronavirus at the Yeoville Clinic have been found to be fake news.

April 10, 2020

Thabo Jobo and Sipho Siso 1 minute read

An alleged fake SABC Twitter account reported that there were four cases of people tested positive for coronavirus at the Yeoville Clinic in Johannesburg. Photo: Supplied

Yeoville Clinic‘s facility manager, Tumisang Morapedi, has confirmed the existence of rumours about four patients testing positive for the coronavirus at the clinic and has warned people to stop spreading such rumours. “It’s all lies and the clinic hasn’t had anyone testing positive for the coronavirus nor has it had to shut down as a result of the rumours.

WhatsApp conversations posted in Ward 67 group continues with local residents discussing the ‘fake coronavirus news’ that apparently rocks Yeoville Clinic. *Photo: Supplied*

“The clinic is open as usual and has been operating as usual despite the rumours. People must heed the call by the government not to cause panic by circulating false information as it is not helping in the fight against the pandemic.

“We are seeing patients daily and we continue to do so with the facility operating on normal working hours.”

Discussions of patients testing positive for coronavirus at Yeoville Clinic have been dismissed by the local authorities. *Photo: Supplied*

President Cyril Ramaphosa has also warned people to desist from spreading fake news, which he said has since become a criminal offence, as such behaviour causes unnecessary panic and could defeat the very purposes of trying to curb the spread of the virus in the country.

Ward 67 [which includes Yeoville] councillor Refilwe Mazibuko has added her weight behind the call to people to stop spreading harmful propaganda that does not help the fight against the virus.

WhatsApp conversations posted in Ward 67 group discuss the alleged fake news about four people testing positive at Yeoville Clinic. *Photo: Supplied*

“I personally saw the post and immediately contacted the facility manager who dismissed it as a lie. We urge the community not to panic.”

Mazibuko also urged the community to use the coronavirus hotline 0800 029 999 that government had created to engage around the virus.

Since the person behind the rumour is well known within the community, Yeoville police have advised the clinic management to find an amicable resolution of the issue before calling on the police to act.