SANEF calls for probe into 'Tembisa 10' story

The SANEF is calling for a probe into the conduct of the journalist who wrote the initial so-called Tembisa 10 babies story.

Last week, the Pretoria News reported that 37-seven-year-old Gosiame Sithole had given birth to ten babies, with claims it was a world record. 

Both government and private hospitals say they have no record of the births.

Sithole’s whereabouts and that of her infants remain a mystery. A missing person’s case was even opened with the police.

This week, the family of Sithole’s boyfriend, Teboho Tsotetsi, said he hadn’t seen the babies. They said in a statement the babies don’t exist until proven otherwise.

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Pretoria News Editor Piet Rampedi, who wrote the first story, is now accusing the Gauteng Health Department of a cover-up, claiming Sithole gave birth at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

SANEF’s Mary Pappaya says Rampedi likely violated some journalistic codes.

"In this instance, we believe there were many instances where the reporter could have come forward and clarify certain aspects of the story.

"The worrying thing here is that when other journalists tried to follow up on the story they were told by the individuals concerned that they can't speak to them. That is self-censorship and censorship of the highest order, in addition to that the authorities, health authorities, government authorities that also went to investigate this could find nothing of substance." 

Independent Media, which owns the Pretoria News, says it stands by the story.

It says Rampedi has been following the mother for months, having been introduced to the couple in December through a church.