The sorry saga of the alleged birth of decuplets, now shown to be a hoax, is to be independently investigated by the media group, whose newspaper, the Pretoria News, was the source of the reports.

In fact, so determined was the newspaper to convince the world of the authenticity of its reporting, that after the so-called ‘Tembisa 10’ couldn't be found, its editor, Piet Rampedi, accused the province and senior politicians of a cover-up and said there might have been medical negligence.

Gauteng government spokesperson Thabo Masebe is quoted in the Sunday Times as saying: ‘They don't exist. She was not pregnant recently and did not give birth to one, two, or even 10 babies. We are now focusing our attention on what support can be provided to Ms Sithole and her two children through the Department of Social Development.’

A leaked memo, dated 18 June 2021, 11 days after the supposed birth of the babies, was compiled by Thembeni Mhlongo, Head of Department in the Gauteng provincial government.

It states that ‘wild untested allegations’ made by Independent Media Group caused serious reputational damage to the government both locally and abroad.

The Sunday Times says it has established the ‘mother’ is not 37 years old as reported, but 48.

The first names of the woman, as reported by the Pretoria News, are also incorrect, according to the memo. Initially named as Gosiame Sithole, the woman's identity document shows different first names. It also indicates she was born in 1972.

Meanwhile, the SA National Editors' Forum welcomed an announcement by Independent Media chair Iqbal Survé that an independent panel would be established to investigate the handling of the story.

‘We believe (this) is the correct approach.’

Full Sunday Times report (subscription needed)