All Episodes

This week, we look at four viral claims stoking xenophobic tensions in South Africa

Is Cape Town ‘officially’ a US province?

Is the South African government implementing a R1,200 ‘HIV grant’?

Will a ‘miracle seed’ treat diabetes, hypertension or gastritis?

No, helping strangers use their smartphones will not expose you to ‘AI biometric identity fraud’.

Is something called Gammora really a ‘cure’ for HIV?

No, Jeffreys Bay has not been declared a refuge for tens of thousands of refugees.

No, there is no new R1,682 family support grant in South Africa.

Did South Africa’s anti-migrant group leader say her parents are Zimbabwean?

Are these photos proof of xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg in November 2025?

South Africa’s NPA head Shamila Batohi did not call her tenure a ‘horror movie’.

Does this video show late South African ambassador's fall from a Paris hotel?

Does Cape Town have “one of the lowest wastages of water in the world”?

Is the Department of Health helping migrants with ‘medical treatment’ at their homes?

No, this old trespassing claim is still false.

Special episode alert: We take a deep dive into AI videos and Google’s Veo 3 model

What are the facts about WhatsApp’s ‘advanced chat privacy’? We checked.

Is a South African mining company offering learnerships or training via a dodgy link? Nope!

No, you can't cure blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis with this simple herbal mixture.

Special episode alert: we're taking a deep dive into artificial intelligence.

Were South African ‘refugees’ to the US really ‘just a bunch of car guards’?

Can you get a diabetes cure with ‘just a drop of inbox message’? Nope.

No, pap smears do not damage the cervix or have the potential to cause abnormal cell growth.

Are South African soldiers pawning their weapons in the DRC?

This home remedy for diabetes is nothing new and not effective.

Special episode alert: we're taking a deep dive into South Africa’s roads.

Can a smartphone app really test for HIV? Of course not!

Will South Africa really introduce ‘grade 13’ in high schools? Of course not.

No, reports of more deaths of South African children from spaza shop poisonings are not true, ignore this engagement bait.

No, 100% of South Africa’s HIV/Aids funding is not from the United States, it’s mostly funded by the SA government.

FALSE: This widely shared video of a school child assaulted by a teacher is not from South Africa.

Hello 2025! For our first episode of the year, we're taking a deep dive into three top tools for verifying information.

Goodbye 2024! We’re debunking three claims you might come across during the festive season and sharing some tips on how to avoid false information during the holidays.

Yes, there was actually a nationwide product recall issued for a batch of Yaz Plus, a hormonal birth control pill in South Africa.

There's no evidence that US president-elect Donald Trump made a controversial speech about Africans, called “rise up Africans”.

Should you throw your supplement “in the trash” if it contains folic acid or folate? No!

This widely-shared picture of a man with a gun was not taken in South Africa. Listen to find out more!

Special episode alert! On this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?” we take a deep dive into mpox.

FALSE: No, a common type of grass called goosegrass cannot reverse kidney failure within three months.

FALSE: These old photos have been used to inflame tensions after a South African mayor’s controversial proposal.

Is it true that 'Jinja Herbal Extracts' can cure various diseases and conditions? No, seek verified medical attention instead.

Nope, this screenshot does not show a post about “digital and medical IDs” by Western Cape premier Alan Winde. It’s a parody account.

Can you use a mixture of salt, sugar and dry gin as a remedy for cholera? No! Rather seek medical attention.

Special episode alert! On this episode, we take a deep dive into post-election misinformation.

Watch out: South Africa’s electoral commission has debunked claims around ‘changing’ vote numbers on the results dashboard.

No, the US security agency will not "start a war" in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province and frame the uMkhonto weSizwe party.

Were ‘destroyed’ ballot boxes found in South Africa’s Limpopo province? No - South Africa’s electoral commission has dispelled these claims.

The Democratic Alliance claimed eight out of 10 people are employed in the Western Cape. Is it true?

No, the ruling African National Congress has not kept its promise to implement national health insurance in South Africa.

Special episode alert! On today's show, we take a deep dive into election misinformation.

The Democratic Alliance claimed in its manifesto that load shedding cost the economy R300 billion in 2022. Is this true?

Did Eminem really endorse the EFF opposition party in South Africa? Nope, this video is a deepfake.

In their manifesto, Rise Mzansi claimed that South Africa is the most unequal country in the world. Is it true?

Can you really buy prepaid electricity through unverified WhatsApp numbers? Nope, it's a scam.

Is it true that South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters party is making fake identity documents for migrants? Nope!

Special edition ALERT! On this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into election misinformation.

Are Oreo biscuits really made with pig’s milk? Of course not!

For our last episode of 2023, “What's Crap on WhatsApp?” will be looking back at four claims from the year!

Does this video really show the EFF looting a Woolworths store to protest the sale of Israeli products? No.

Russian president Vladimir Putin did not warn the US not to interfere in the Israel-Hamas war. The claim is false!

Did South African president Ramaphosa really apologise to ‘the people of Zimbabwe’? No!

This week, we're taking a deep dive into climate change misinformation and tips for spotting and debunking these claims.

Does this video show a massive wave crashing into a restaurant in South Africa’s Western Cape province? No!

Do not throw flour on a fire, it is a fuel which can itself catch alight. Ignore widely shared videos.

No, this old video doesn’t show South African president Cyril Ramaphosa speaking about ‘farm murders’.

Is depression really a result of ‘highs’ from certain foods and substances? No!

No the northern hemisphere is not cooling. All of the world is warming – and there are higher temperatures in the north

It's our 100th show! We’re taking a deep dive into health misinformation, focusing on quack cures for cancer

Unfortunately there is no cure for endometriosis, so these claims about a home remedy drink are false

Don't believe this zombie claim from 2009, South Africa is not getting a new R500 note

Do South Africans have to pay for blood transfusions but aren’t paid to donate? No.

This statement is fake: the South African national broadcaster will not be introducing annual car radio license's

Are leaves from the plantain plant a remedy for venomous snake bites and scorpion stings? Nope!

This week, we're taking a deep dive into the topic of water use in South Africa

Has the UN recommended a ratio of one police officer for every 220 people? Nope, this ghost statistic has been cited again

Is there evidence that criminals are posing as home affairs officers in South Africa? Nope, this claim is old!

Does this photo show a crumbling bridge support in South Africa in 2023? Nope, it’s from 2004 in Japan

No, pressing the ATM’s cancel button won’t prevent bank card fraud

No, this pricey herbal mix advertised on social media CANNOT cure HIV

Special episode alert: This week we take a deep dive into loadshedding, what it is and how it works

Yes, it is possible that drinking too much water can be lethal.

No, it is not true that just 6% of the African population vaccinated against Covid-19!

We look back at four of the craziest claims from 2022 in this episode. We’re taking a short break over December, see you in 2023!

Does new Twitter owner Elon Musk plan to restore accounts of all banned users, except Donald Trump? No!

Can venomous snake bites be cured by the bark of a cashew tree? No, rather seek medical attention!

This week we take a deep dive into online scams and how to spot them on social media

Do silver fillings cause serious health problems? There’s no evidence of harm for most people!

No, covid vaccines do not cause the body to produce toxic spike proteins that cause cancer!

Can our stomach acid really dissolve some metals? Yes, theoretically!

This widely shared video says South Africans have “zero right to self-defence” from home invaders under the proposed trespassing bill. But it's wrong.

No, hepatitis B cannot be cured - but chronic hepatitis B can be managed.

On this special episode we're looking at whether monkeypox is linked to men who have sex with men.

Did the Dubai Police make a statement denying the arrest of the Gupta brothers wanted in South Africa? No!

No, heart disease in children hasn't ‘exploded’ because of the Covid-19 vaccine!

If endangered bees became extinct, would it mean the end to strawberries, avocados and coffee?

Are Zimbabweans selling their toes because of poverty? No!

Do Covid vaccines cause ovarian cancer, infertility or other reproductive disorders?

No, the Centre for Disease Control in Nigeria did not confirm a monkeypox ‘outbreak’.

No, there isn’t an online Huggy Wuggy video that instructs children to “kill parents and little babies”.

Does a popular Nigerian drink made from the roselle or hibiscus plant “cause miscarriage” during pregnancy?

Is there a connection between different major disease outbreaks and US election years, as a photo posted online claims?

Does this video show a deadly thermobaric bomb in Ukraine?

There is no scientific evidence that a mixture of bitter gourd leaves and snails is a remedy for stroke.

No, Pfizer has NOT warned that the Covid-19 vaccine carries risk of ‘births defects due to genetic manipulation’.

No, baking soda is not a miracle cure for treating cancer and killing viruses

No, Japan didn’t remove its Covid vaccine mandate after placing a myocarditis warning.

Did a head of the World Health Organization say that Covid vaccines kill children?

On the last episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?” for 2021 we look back at some stats and crazy claims!

Onions on your feet won't cure a cold or the flu!

Are there “hundreds of vacancies'' in South African government jobs?

Have South African alcohol retailers been warned of an upcoming December 2021 lockdown?

Is the social media platform Facebook about to “close down”?

Can using onions on the scalp cure baldness?

Can baking soda kill viruses and cancer cells in your body?

Do you need to isolate for two weeks after taking the Covid jab?

Can you treat kidney stones, hepatitis or measles with coconut oil?

Does South Africa have the world’s 2nd-highest rate of firearm-related deaths?

Can Garlic Lower Blood Pressure?

Did the ‘real’ Nelson Mandela die in 1985 while in prison?

#ShutdownSA protest claims

Will shaking a gas cylinder make it explode?

Do ‘over a million’ Africans die in road accidents each year?

Is ‘black fungus’ linked to repeated use of unwashed masks?

Was a service station in South Africa held hostage as robbers sold fuel?

Did three black celebrities die from the COVID-19 vaccine in the same month?

Did Helen Zille write that she ‘regrets promoting Black leadership’?

Are 6 South African cities the "most dangerous" in the world?

Is there any evidence for #15MillionIllegalMigrants in South Africa?

Will one million girls across sub-Saharan Africa be blocked from returning to school due to pregnancy during Covid-19?

Was this man buried in his favourite car, with the seatbelt fastened?

Are Port Elizabeth’s Covid cases linked to poor drinking water?

Is that cyclone Eloise tearing houses apart in Mozambique?

Is cactus juice a cure for snake bites and scorpion stings?

2020 Round-up - the most horrendous claims from a terrible year

Is there a nail polish that can detect date-rape drugs in a drink?

Are there 15 million ‘undocumented foreigners’ in South Africa?

Can Eskom blame the ‘coldest winter in 10 years’ for load shedding?

Palm wine, bitter kola and lime

Is this a woman's 'largely skeletal' remains?

Are 1 million children trafficked in SA every year?

Is a mixture of garlic, turmeric, ginger and cloves a fertility wonder cure?

Do infrared thermometers damage your brain?

Another Chinese Virus?

Things being inserted

Over a Million Graves?

Is this clickbait?

Can hand sanitiser left in a hot car explode?

Is Your Supermarket Stealing From You?

COVID-19: Can the cops fine you for smoking?

COVID-19: Are Masks DANGEROUS For Your Health?

COVID-19: Don't Believe Every Video You See

COVID-19: should you wash your groceries in bleach?

Debunking COVID-19 Myths: non-existent vaccines, second-hand clothes and dubious documents

Working remotely in the time of COVID-19

Coronavirus and other health checks

Magic ATM Codes

Coronavirus

Deadly Kettle Spiders

2019 Recap

Free Back-2-School Condoms

Apricot Seeds Cure Cancer

Pepper Snakes

Egging car windscreens

Pop-up Ads

Poisoned Juice

Charlize Theron

Burning Trucks