Viral Story Of South African Woman With Record Ten Babies Untrue: Inquiry

Claims of a South African woman with ten babies who allegedly set a Guinness world record earlier this month have been found untrue by an inquiry.

Gosiame Sithole who reports claimed had given birth to decuplets in early June went viral for allegedly breaking a record previously held at eight babies. The news had first been reported by Pretoria News of Independent Online (IOL), a publication based in South Africa.

As per the BBC, an official inquiry now claims there are no local records of Sithole delivering decuplets at any hospital in Gauteng. Shockingly, the investigation further states medical tests showed the 37-year-old had not even been pregnant recently.

IOL is standing by their initial reports, saying it is "not fake news but a cover-up of mammoth proportions by Gauteng Health authorities."

Sithole was last week admitted to Tembisa Hospital in Johannesburg for psychiatric evaluation, as per reports. Her attorney says Sithole claims she is "being held against her will."

Woman With Ten Babies Controversy: Here's What Happened

A Pretoria News report claimed Gosiame Sithole gave birth to decuplets on June 7 at a hospital. Sithole with her 'Tembisa 10' babies allegedly broke the world record which was previously held by Halima Cissé who gave birth to nine babies in Morocco in May this year.

A name for the Pretoria hospital Sithole was allegedly at was not confirmed. Teboho Tsotetsi, Sithole's partner, was quoted as the source for the story.

He later revealed he hadn't actually seen the babies but had informed the publication following messages from his girlfriend.

Several photos claiming to be of a heavily pregnant Sithole in a pink dress with celebratory balloons had gone viral on social media the same week.

IOL editor-in-chief Piet Rampedi and a local Pretoria mayor, who claimed Sithole delivered decuplets, allegedly did not get confirmation from any authorities and hadn't seen the babies either.

Interestingly, Tsotetsi and his family later called into question his girlfriend's pregnancy. They reportedly said in a statement, "The family has resolved and concluded that there are no decuplets born between Tebogo Tsotetsi and Gosiame Sithole, until proven otherwise and wishes to apologise for any inconvenience and embarrassment."

What Is The Publication Behind Sithole's Story Saying?

A string of Gauteng hospitals came out to deny knowledge of or involvement in Sithole's alleged delivery in days after June 8 when the news first broke, even as public suspicion grew.

In a report dated June 16 defending their initial story, IOL has named Steve Biko Academic Hospital as the place Sithole delivered seven boys and three girls. They further claim ill-management by hospital authorities and lack of post-natal medical care, saying Sithole was admitted there between June 7 and 11.

The publication has said it was via Rampedi that they came to know of Sithole, Tsotetsi and the said pregnancy. The couple allegedly showed Rampedi scans and medical reports at the time he visited them too, which showed they were expecting eight babies.

"We unwaveringly stand by Piet Rampedi and we stand by our story," IOL has stated.

The provincial government has reportedly slammed the publication saying their "allegations are false, unsubstantiated" and that legal action would be taken against them and Rampedi.

Image: African News Agency

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