THE Gauteng government says it will take legal action against Pretoria News editor Piet Rampedi and Independent Media over the Tembisa 10 story.
Earlier this year, Pretoria News reported as fact that Gosiame Sithole gave birth to decuplets on 7 June 2021.
However, medical practitioners said she had never been pregnant in the first place.
On Wednesday, an investigation by Independent Newspapers revealed that it had uncovered a massive human trafficking cover-up, adding that the decuplets were trafficked by a Nigerian syndicate targeting new-born babies at public hospitals.
In a statement, the Gauteng provincial government said it was duty bound to protect the integrity of all government officials as well as that of public institutions.
It said the provincial government has since 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.
“The provincial government cannot stand by while serious allegations are made against nurses, doctors, hospital management and health officials,” the provincial government said in a statement.
The Gauteng Provincial Government said it had noted a report released by the Independent Media group in which very serious allegations are made against medical practitioners, nursing staff and hospital management without any shred of evidence to substantiate such allegations.
“The doctors established that the woman did not give birth to any babies nor was she pregnant in recent times,” it said in a statement.
“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.”
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