Tembisa 10: Gauteng govt threatens legal action over human trafficking claims
The story about the miraculous birth of decuplets to a South African mother has turned into a legal battle between a media house and government.
This after Independent Media made several explosive claims about the alleged disappearance of the 10 children now dubbed the ‘Tembisa 10’.
Independent Media broke the story earlier this year, reporting that Gosiame Sithole (37) had given birth at Tembisa Hospital before losing sight of the babies.
The story went south when the veracity of the delivery was brought into question - hospitals had no record of the babies and medical records denied Sithole had given birth recently.
The Gauteng provincial government threatened legal action but Independent Media stuck to its guns.
According to an independent report by the media house released on Wednesday, two of the babies died soon after birth while the remaining eight were moved to Steve Biko Hospital.
Independent Media chairperson Dr Iqbal Survé, who presented the report, further claimed medical staff, politicians and government officials were all involved in the trafficking of the babies and were all involved in a massive coverup of the human trafficking syndicate at some state hospitals.
Provincial government hit out at the media house over the latest claims.
“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,” said the Premier’s spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga.
“Government is duty bound to protect the integrity of all government officials as well as that of public institutions.”
Mhaga added government would again take action against the group.
“The provincial government has instructed the State Attorney to institute legal action against the Independent Media group.
“A senior counsel has been briefed and court papers will be served on the Independent Media in due course.”
Meanwhile Independent Media vowed to implicate more high-profile officials in the alleged cover-up soon.
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