South African minister warns of 5G-coronavirus conspiracy theory

South Africa’s Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has advised citizens to ignore a conspiracy theory that links coronavirus to 5G technology. 

Posting on Twitter, Dr Mkhize said: “5G is a technology issue and Covid is a virus. You cannot link the virus to technology.” 

Claims that the wireless technology could be linked to the coronavirus pandemic have been spreading online for weeks now. 

They gained real traction last month after popular American singer and songwriter Keri Hilson shared the theory with her 4.2 million Twitter followers and on Instagram. She later deleted the posts. 

American doctor Thomas Cowan also helped spread the false claim when speaking in Tuscon, Arizona in March. A video of his comments has been viewed thousands of times on YouTube. 

To date there has been no scientific connection between coronavirus and 5G.

Dr Mkhize told South Africans they need to use facts to fight the virus.

“We have have tracked the virus from animals to human beings. Let’s tell the truth. We can prevent the spread,” he said. 

Photo: Reuters