Minister warns on spreading fake news about COVID-19

Minister of Information, Civic education and Communication Technology, Mark Botomani asked Malawians to stop spreading fake news about Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Botomani spoke this in Nkhotakota District when he visited the district to appreciate the level of preparedness in the fight against the cases of COVID-19.

The minister, who is also a member of the special cabinet committee on COVID-19, was reacting to recent social media allegations that each member in the cabinet committee on COVID-19 draws an allowance of K600, 000 in every meeting.

“No member of the special cabinet committee on COVID-19 has ever drawn allowances since the committee was appointed by His Excellency the President, that was fake news and it remains fake.

“It is not only lies about allowances, but there are so many fake and exaggerated things about the Coronavirus; let us take this issue seriously. It is a crisis which we need to take as such,” he said.

He said the government is much committed to mobilise resources to deal with COVID-19 than drawing allowances as some people claim.

The minister advised members of the media to help fight the dissemination of fake news about the COVID-19 that he said could negatively affect many people.

Malawi has so far recorded 16 cases of COVID-19 with two deaths. Nkhotakota itself has registered one case.