Women live in fear after being stigmatised on social media

landed up on the list. “I’ve been trying to get a response from the call centre, but nothing so far.

“Yet when we wanted to be screened and tested, they were quick to return our calls.

“In my house, I’m the only one that attended the funeral but the four other people living here are also being stigmatised,” Jonas said.

Because KwaDwesi, with 28, has the highest number of infections in the city, social media users have now dubbed the township suburb “Chinatown”.

Municipal spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki said acting city manager Noxolo Nqwazi condemned the circulation of people’s names and addresses in the strongest possible terms.

“This is a serious breach and a serious violation of human rights,” he quoted her as saying.

“The municipality is doing its own internal investigation.

“She also expresses her appreciation that [the department of] health is also doing its own investigation,” Mniki said.

Ward 36 councillor Nomonde Mhlobiso said it was unacceptable for people to attach a stigma to KwaDwesi.

“As ward councillors, we don’t have the authority to speak on Covid-19, there are designated people to do that.

“All precautionary awareness campaigns were made and as we speak these are ongoing.

“There are tests being conducted.

“People know what is right and what’s wrong and should refrain from spreading fake news that may be harmful to certain families,” she said.

Ward 17 (New Brighton) councillor Ncediso Captain said he had been contacted by people who suspected other community members were Covid-19 positive after the list was circulated.

“Since the KwaDwesi funeral, Covid-19 has spread in townships and I’ve been called by people suspecting others of being positive.

“You can’t accuse people of having the coronavirus just because of what you’re seeing on social media.

“That is dangerous, rather encourage people to get tested,” he said.

Captain said such lists, and the way those named in the list were treated, would discourage other people from coming forward to be tested.

“This is not going to help the efforts of the government and the municipality,” he said.

Provincial health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said: “We would like to caution against this as it contributes to the stigmatisation of the coronavirus.

“We need everyone to play their part in helping to curb the spread of this virus instead of fuelling the stigma around this pandemic.

“Testing positive for Covid19 is not a death penalty as it can be managed.

“Currently, 15 people have successfully recovered in the Eastern Cape.”