An investigation has been launched into the WhatsApp booze ban hoax that sparked panic buying across the country on Tuesday, August 25. Many South Africans believed the misinformation and queued outside bottle stores to purchase alcohol.
According to the WhatAapp voice note, the President was to announce that the ban on the sale of alcohol would return with immediate effect from August 25. The Presidency later confirmed that the voice note was in fact fake news.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Lungi Mtshali told eNCA that an investigation has now been launched.
According to Mtshali, the fake news circulated by the voice note put people at risk during the pandemic and compromised their lives.
The investigation has been escalated to SAPS.
