R3500 Covid-19 Support Grant Fund declared fake news
The message, which has been trending since last night, encourages the public to apply for the R3500 grant.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2021/03/pexels-photo-1251855-780x470.jpeg)
THE WhatsApp messages about the R3500 Covid-19 Support Grant, which has since gone viral, has been declared, by the South African government, as fake news.
The message, which has been trending since last night, encourages the public to apply for the R3500 grant.
It further claims the amount will be paid for a period of six months.
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In light of the misleading information, the government has pleaded with the public to refrain from sharing fake news with friends and family.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2021/03/20210303_112131-272x400.jpg)
For any Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants related information, visit: https://www.gov.za/…/social-grants-coronavirus-covid-19
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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