This message, which is currently circulating via Facebook, Whatsapp, and other social media sites, warns people in Nigeria not to drink coke until further notice because it may be poisoned.
According to the warning, some South African workers in a Nigerian based Coca Cola plant have deliberately poisoned the beverage, resulting in the deaths of seven people.
The message suggests that the motive for the supposed contamination is the “war going on between Nigerians and South Africans”.
Although South Africa and Nigeria are not at war, a series of recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa has fueled animosity between the two nations. A number of people have been killed as a result of this xenophobic violence.
A September 9, 2018, BBC news report notes:
Nigeria says it will repatriate some 600 citizens from South Africa after a wave of xenophobic violence which led to tensions between the two countries.
Some will leave on two flights on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Consul General in Johannesburg told the BBC.
Ten people, including two foreigners, were killed in the city last week when mobs attacked foreign-owned businesses.
However, there are no credible reports that support claims that Nigerians have died after drinking Coke poisoned by South African workers. There are no news reports or health warnings related to the alleged contamination incident. It appears that the claim has no factual basis.
Tensions in the region are certainly concerning. However, spreading bogus contamination rumours will only make things worse. If this false warning comes your way, please don’t spread it further by sharing it.
An example of the hoax message:
it was said that some of d south Africans working in coca cola company in Nigeria has poisond d coca cola drink
it was also said that about 7 people were found dead and they discovered that it was d coke drink that killed them. Please do not drink it till further notice
Pass dis message to all ur family, friends and loved ones to save their lives
1 comment
I have students whose family members have been hospitalized due to drinking the contaminated coca cola — it is not a hoax!