KwaZulu-Natal Health will discipline an employee of the National Health Laboratory Service for creating and distributing misleading information about the COVID-19. Polity reports that in a Whatsapp recording that has caused panic among KwaZulu-Natal residents, the woman says Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital was overwhelmed with patients with the virus and added that none of the doctors on duty were willing to help the patients.
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu said her department welcomes any stringent action against any individual who is reckless enough to spread false information. Simelane-Zulu said while the production and dissemination of fake news was a global problem, it was unbecoming of State employees to involve themselves in such malicious conduct.
The report says Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital management has vehemently denied all the accusations by the said employee. “We are always deeply concerned when people resort to creating and spreading false propaganda, which causes a lot of unnecessary fear and anxiety in our communities. This is a particularly sensitive time, and government is doing a lot of good work to contain the novel coronavirus from spreading.”
Simelane-Zulu said the government had adopted a stance that only Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize is authorised to confirm any cases of coronavirus, after laboratory tests have been conducted, and the results received. Simelane-Zulu called all members of the public to exercise restraint and act responsibly.
[link url="https://www.polity.org.za/article/kzn-health-dept-employee-to-face-disciplinary-hearing-for-disseminating-false-information-on-coronavirus-2020-03-09"]Full Polity report[/link]