Everson Luhanga
Not even Donald Trump can match Dr Iqbal Surve, the Executive Chairman of the Independent Media Group (IMG), for shamelessness. He has taken fake news to a whole new level.
The IMG are not bothered by the fact that their rubbish “scoop” of the Tembisa decuplets has become an international joke and embarrassed South African journalism.
They are not put off by the fact that doctors who examined Gosiame Sithole, the alleged mother of the phantom decuplets, determined that she had not given birth and in fact had never been pregnant.
It is a mere detail to them that journalist Piet Rampedi who conjured up the kak story later apologised.
Oh no.
On Wednesday, Surve presented the IMG’s “independent findings” on the Tembisa 10 story at a press conference by accusing the Gauteng provincial department of health of being at the centre of a baby trafficking ring.
Surve said their investigation “found” that Gosiamo Sithole had indeed been pregnant and was diagnosed as carrying six babies at Steve Biko Academic Hospital but when she went to Sunninghill private hospital, the doctors saw eight babies.
He says eight babies were transported to Steve Biko Hospital after she gave birth. Sithole saw the babies for two days after giving birth.
But here comes the plot twist. The babies were then lost at the hand of a Nigerian doctor at the hospital.
The Nigerian doctor, he says, was using a different name, which makes it difficult for anyone to find him.
He alleged that the Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi and other officials at the national department of health were also involved – and he called for them to be suspended.
“We can say unequivocally that our state hospitals are at the epicentre of human trafficking and baby trafficking,” he told the press conference.
Now, says Surve, it’s for the government to answer: where are the babies?
And indeed the government has answered.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has instructed the State Attorney to sue the IMG.
“The provincial government cannot stand by while serious allegations are made against nurses, doctors, hospital management and health officials.
“These are women and men of integrity who are working selflessly and honestly every day to save lives and at times even risking their own lives.”
A spokesperson for Netcare Sunninghill Hospital said no patient with a multiple pregnancy of eight or more foetuses had ever been admitted to any Netcare hospital including Netcare Sunninghill.
Social media has weighed in and activist Nomboniso Gasa suggested that the only missing things in Surve’s story are a Tokoloshe and a loaf of brown bread.
Journalist Palesa Morudu Rosenberg described the saga as a crime against journalism. “His reporters should be walking out, but they won’t. They are instead feeding his paranoia and fake news.”
Communications professional Chris Vick added: “No need for these independent investigations of Independent by Independent people. Just make sure the ten babies from Tembisa are at the press conference and we can all move on.”
Image source: Independent Media/inlsa
