Sensational birth stories often make headlines worldwide, and the more babies involved, the greater the intrigue.
In 2021, a South African woman’s alleged delivery of ten babies at once captured global attention. However, as officials probed the astonishing claim, they uncovered startling discrepancies that led to an ongoing controversy.
The Sensational Claim
In June 2021, Pretoria News reported that 37-year-old Gosiame Thamara Sithole from Gauteng had given birth to decuplets at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.
Journalist Piet Rampedi, who broke the story, stated that Sithole delivered seven boys and three girls via C-section. According to the article, her pregnancy was natural—conceived without fertility treatments—and scans had only detected eight babies, making the final count even more remarkable.
Dubbed the “Tembisa 10,” the story quickly went viral. International media outlets, including the BBC, picked up the news, and donations reportedly reached $70,000 as well-wishers sought to support the new parents.
Investigations Expose the Truth
Despite the global excitement, skepticism emerged when no hospital could confirm the births. The Gauteng Provincial Government launched an investigation, checking records at both public and private hospitals, but found no evidence of such a delivery.
Doubts grew when medical sources failed to verify the existence of the decuplets. By June 25, 2021, provincial officials released a statement confirming that there was no proof Sithole had given birth. Social workers later located her and took her to a hospital, where medical tests confirmed she had not recently been pregnant.
The Hoax Unravels
As the truth emerged, many questioned how and why such an elaborate story was fabricated. Authorities refrained from speculating on Sithole’s motives but offered her medical, psychological, and social support, implying that she may have needed counseling.
Rather than fading, the controversy escalated. Piet Rampedi, who initially reported the story, insisted that the Gauteng Health Department was orchestrating a cover-up. His newspaper, Independent Media, supported his claims, accusing officials of concealing the truth.
However, in a dramatic reversal, Rampedi later admitted to serious journalistic failures. In an internal email to his colleagues at Independent Media, he acknowledged his failure to verify the story and conceded that he had treated the claim too casually instead of conducting a thorough investigation.
Legal Ramifications and Lessons Learned
The Gauteng government dismissed accusations of a cover-up, stating that the false claims had damaged the reputation of Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the provincial health department. Officials even considered legal action against Rampedi and Independent Media for spreading misinformation.
While the truth has now been established, the bizarre saga of the “Tembisa 10” serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked journalism and viral misinformation. This case is a stark reminder that not everything sensational is true, no matter how convincing it may appear.
