‘Focus on Covid’ - Health Dpt labels Tembisa 10 saga a ’journalistic error’
The Health Department has hit back at claims that it tried to cover up the birth of 10 babies at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria.
This marks the end of a two-week search for the infamous Tembisa 10, a mystery that has gripped the country and divided media houses.
Last week Tuesday, IOL released an exclusive report on the miraculous delivery of 10 babies by 37-year-old Gosiame Sithole.
The publication claimed Sithole gave birth to seven boys and three girls at a Pretoria hospital, but the provincial government denied the claims that the babies were born in Gauteng.
In a twist of events this week, the alleged father, Tebogo Tsotetsi and his family also denied their existence.
On Friday, national health spokesperson Popo Maja slammed Independent Media for its reporting.
“We have taken these allegations made against government and healthcare professionals very seriously.
“The results of our preliminary investigation once again confirmed that there were no decuplets in the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, as well that there was no way that Tshwane District Hospital, that is not even capacitated to deliver twins can deliver 10 babies,” said Maja in a statement.
The department further threw its weight behind other state officials who had denied having records of the birth.
“Clinicians at both the Steve Biko Academic Hospital and Tshwane District Hospital have confirmed that there is no record of delivery of the decuplets in any of the public health facilities in Gauteng.
“It is not clear as to where the delivery had happened.”
Maja raised some concern that the feel-good story turned media circus has detracted focus from the fight against Covid-19.
“The alleged “cover-up of mammoth proportions” by health authorities seems to be a journalistic error. It cannot be that 10 or 8 babies are born and that no evidence of their whereabouts or existence can be established,” Maja added.
“We urge all South Africans to allow the health professionals to focus on the task at hand of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Gauteng where there is severe pressure.”
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