South Africa: Pregnant Women in South African Province Not Told to 'Bring Mattresses or Give Birth On the Floor' - Health Department Dismisses Claim

What the report says

A fact-check published by Africa Check and distributed by AllAfrica says a viral Facebook claim about pregnant women in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province being told to bring their own mattresses or give birth on the floor is false. The allegation circulated as graphics and social media posts suggested worsening conditions in public hospitals, with some versions blaming the ruling African National Congress for bed shortages.

According to the report, the Eastern Cape provincial health department rejected the claim on its official Facebook page and marked it as fake news. The department said the allegation was not official policy, that it does not condone such treatment of patients, and that hospitals provide beds and mattresses for maternity care. South Africa’s national health department also posted a similar denial on its verified account.

Africa Check said the first version of the claim appeared on a satire Facebook page called Voice of RSA, which describes itself as satirical. The report notes that the post was still widely shared and treated as fact, including in the context of the country’s run-up to local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

The story highlights a broader issue familiar in South Africa: misinformation can spread quickly when it taps into real public concerns such as pressure on healthcare services, especially ahead of elections. The fact-check also offers general advice for verifying online claims, including checking sources, looking for independent reporting, and consulting expert or official responses.