By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
In a recent wave of misinformation, Thabo Mbeki, the former President of South Africa is very much alive and in good health, the TM Foundation announced.
This follows baseless claims that were disseminated by established media outlets.
An unknown person edited the former president’s Wikipedia page and included the information that he had died on 2 January 2024.
This is not the first instance of false reports about Mbeki’s health. A similar hoax in 2021 falsely claimed he had succumbed to COVID-19, which was promptly debunked by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.
In a statement the foundation says, “Its Patron is in good health and it categorically deny unfounded reports circulating on social media regarding the health of Patron of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.”
“The foundation urged responsible engagement with online information, particularly at a time when misinformation can spread rapidly.”
“We appreciate your concern and ask that you rely on official channels for accurate information about Mbeki’s well-being and activities.”
It concluded that it was still being inundated with queries regarding the health of the former president.
The fake news also reached Mbeki’s home town in the Eastern Cape but was quickly dismissed.
The former head of state served as president from 1999 to 2008. He remains a respected figure his intellectual leadership and his contributions to post apartheid South Africa’s economic growth and stability.
The National Executive Committee of the ANC took a decision to recall him as president of the country on the weekend of the 19 to 21 September 2008.
Social media app X has been accused of becoming increasingly susceptible to fake news as some users appear to be desperate for engagements. The app pays subscribed users who sign up for monetisation. Users apply to earn money from ads displayed in replies to their posts.
X has said that in the face of misleading information, it aimed to create a better-informed world so people could engage in healthy public conversation.
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