Opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) will roll out its latest campaign in the fight against fake news, during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

DA Shadow Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Phumzile Van Damme revealed that the campaign will include DA resources to educate the public about fake news, as well as teach the public how to identify, correct and report fake news.

Van Damme has accused Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams of not tackling fake news.

“The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, is asleep at the wheel while dangerous and life-threatening fake news and disinformation about Covid-19 run rampant,” she said.

She also urged the South African media to play its part against fake news and appealed to media houses to verify all information before publishing.

DA Shadow Minister of Health Siviwe Gwarube pointed out that as South Africa planned to roll out a nationwide community screening programme in various communities, the initiative was been overshadowed by fake news.

Gwarube said the DA was aware of a video that was being circulated by a Cape Town man alleging that “the "test kits" or screening equipment that will be used by the community health workers in various communities were contaminated and will infect people with Covid-19.

The DA had since laid charges against the man for his “inaccurate, misleading and harmful comments”, adding that spreading fake news was against the Covid-19 Disaster Management Regulation 11 (5) which prohibits and criminalises the spreading of fake news pertaining to efforts to combat the pandemic.

“While this is not the first and possibly not the last case of fake news, it is critical that we make a stand against this destructive pattern. It is important that the South African Police Service investigate this matter without delay,” Gwarube urged.

The DA also called on political leaders not to engage in “irresponsible behaviour” by spreading fake news, paranoia and conspiracy theories about Covid-19.

The party referred to African Transformation Movement President Vuyo Zungula’s recent letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa in which he asked the President to debunk various Covid-19 conspiracy theories.

Van Damme said the party was adamant Ramaphosa will be firm in his response to Zungula and admonish him for his “irresponsible conduct.”

The DA called on South Africans to be responsible at this time and to only share facts coming from reputable sources, saying the country could not afford to be derailed by fake news in the fight against the pandemic.

Van Damme reminded the public that while the country was faced with a momentous battle against Covid-19, disinformation and fake news carried a jail sentence or a fine.

Transgressors can be jailed for up to six months.