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FAKE NEWS

Rumours of Thabo Mbeki’s death are greatly exaggerated

Former president Thabo Mbeki is alive and well, contrary to online reports that he has died. Mbeki is in good health, according to his foundation.
Rumours of Thabo Mbeki’s death are greatly exaggerated Former president Thabo Mbeki. (Photo: Gallo Images / Beeld / Alet Pretorius)
Velani Ludidi
By Velani Ludidi
3 Jan 2024
Facebook
16

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation has rubbished reports claiming the former president died after a short illness.

Mbeki’s name was trending in the country on Wednesday afternoon after a report on a site called The Nigerian Voice. Other seemingly satirical sites, also apparently originating in Nigeria, carried the fake news story. 

An unknown person edited the former president's Wikipedia page and included the information that he had died on 2 January 2024.

“The Thabo Mbeki Foundation is aware of recent, unfounded reports circulating on social media regarding the health of the Patron of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation,” said Anga Jamela, the foundation’s spokesperson. 

“We categorically deny these reports and wish to assure the public that President Mbeki is in good health. We urge caution and responsible engagement with online information, particularly during a time when misinformation can spread rapidly.” 

Jamela said the foundation appreciated the concerns and asked people to rely on official channels for accurate information about Mbeki’s wellbeing and activities. 

The fake news also reached Mbeki’s home town in the Eastern Cape but was quickly dismissed. 

This is not the first time Mbeki has been targeted in a fake news report. 

In June 2021, during the pandemic, a WhatsApp message from someone purporting to be a News24 journalist falsely claimed that Mbeki had died of Covid. 

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi was also a victim of fake news recently when X users claimed he had been admitted to hospital after being poisoned. 

The ministry posted a video of Motsoaledi with an unknown person wishing South Africans well for the new year. 

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. 

The app has added an option called Community Notes, which plans to empower people to collaboratively add context to potentially misleading posts. DM

Comments

D'Esprit Dan Jan 3, 2024, 07:52 PM

Just like Covid denialist Magafuli died of that in Tanzania, it would be hilarious if, when Mbeki does eventually die (as we all do) that's it's from AIDS complications. His legacy will be that his foundation will deny it, continuing his only lasting legacy - that of denialism!

Johan Buys Jan 3, 2024, 08:39 PM

Would anybody have noticed?

TP Mudau Jan 4, 2024, 07:59 AM

Yes. Thats why its trending on X

Fanie Rajesh Ngabiso Jan 7, 2024, 01:23 PM

A good response to an asinine comment.

Jan Vos Jan 3, 2024, 08:54 PM

Mbeki who?

Tim Bester Jan 4, 2024, 07:47 AM

Very strange headline...how can one "exagerate" a rumour of any death?

Jeff Robinson Jan 4, 2024, 08:02 AM

My thoughts as well. Some more editorial oversight is called for here.

Brad Pullock Jan 4, 2024, 09:05 AM

They are paraphrasing Mark Twain, viz: In 1897, Mark Twain is said to have read his own obituary, and then remarked, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

Tim Bester Jan 4, 2024, 03:00 PM

A wise reminder...but I doubt the connection!

Denise Smit Jan 7, 2024, 05:40 AM

It is either true or false , dead or alive , please DM

Robert Morgan Jan 4, 2024, 09:04 AM

300,000 deaths due to this horror show’s decision to refuse medical evidence. Frankly a pity the old c**t hasn’t croaked. But then again since it’s bad form to speak ill of the dead, why not remind ourselves one more time of this self-described ‘deep thinker’s’ achievements. Hopefully soon he will be consigned to the scrap heap of history where he truly belongs. He won’t be missed.

reinier102 Jan 4, 2024, 01:46 PM

Mbeki also played a huge part in creating load shedding and he should never be forgiven for that, regardless of whether he is dead or alive. May the rest of his life be short.

gilstra Jan 5, 2024, 04:10 PM

Mbeki badly screwed up on the AIDS front with that drunk of a so-called health minister of his. That said, he at least had the semblance of statesman, something we have sadly not seen in SA since the departure of the then interim-president Mothlante. Zuma was a clown performing as president, Ramapromise is a crook performing as honest Bob.

Rob vZ Jan 5, 2024, 12:45 PM

Greatly exaggerated? Either he is dead or his not :)

gilstra Jan 5, 2024, 04:05 PM

I don't know how rumours about someone's alleged death can be 'wildly exaggerated'. The person is either dead or alive. PS: 'Minister Motsoaledi' looks drunk.

belyeujohn4 Jan 5, 2024, 06:18 PM

How is this even news! He single-handedly condemned tens of thousands of his people to an early agonizing death by way of his "intellectual" refusal of the science of the time, and now. He should be a nobody, worth no news worthiness