The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) calls on members of the public to refrain from distributing and spreading false information about the organisation’s data collectors.
This follows a series of false Facebook posts and WhatsApp voice messages that have been circulating on social media platforms for the past few weeks, particularly in Port Saint Johns and Mthatha claiming that the HSRC data collectors are either robbing communities or kidnapping children.
HSRC’s Acting CEO, Professor Leickness Simbayi reassured members of the public that there was no truth in the circulating malicious messages. He emphasised that community members’ safety was the organisation’s first priority.
“We therefore encourage members of the public to report any suspicious activity to the police or to verify the authenticity of HSRC fieldworkers with the organisation whenever they are in doubt. Our fieldworkers are often identifiable by their HSRC-marked bibs and identity cards,” said Simbayi.
He added that their vehicles are marked with various project logos on their doors, “When our data collectors arrive at different households, they introduce themselves and provide an explanation for the purpose of their study.”
Simbayi further added that although participation in HSRC surveys is entirely voluntary, it is important that as many people living in South Africa as possible participate so that the data that is generated is accurate and constitutes a credible sample of the target population.
Speaking to Mthatha Express, HSRC programmes manger, Yolande Lisette Shean said that they are worried about the safety of the data collectors on the field due to the fake news.
“It started in the Orange Free State where one of our data collector visited a participant, everything was fine until she decided to accuse the data collector stating that he came and robbed her. She took the picture of him sitting in the car outside her house and circulated it,” said Shean.
“The data collector then went to report the accusations to the police and was advised to open a case against the participant. However, the picture had already gone viral. The Mount Nicholas principal sent out a letter to the learners parents warning them about the car. This letter also went viral,” Shean added.
Shen further added that she received calls from colleagues informing her about this letter.
“Our team visited Mount Nicholas School to find out what happened. The principal apologised saying that had received the voice note from one of her colleagues in Port St Johns, but had not check the facts.”
Department of Education spokesperson, Mali Mtima said that no incidents of learners being kidnapped had been reported.
