Spectacular births often grab public attention\u2014and none more so than when Gosiame Thamara Sithole, a South African woman, was reported in June 2021 to have given birth to 10 babies, supposedly breaking a world record.<\/p>\n
The story, published by Pretoria News<\/em> and journalist Piet Rampedi, quickly went viral. Gosiame, from a township near Johannesburg, was said to have delivered decuplets at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Donations poured in, and global media covered the so-called \u201cTembisa 10.\u201d<\/p>\n But cracks soon appeared. Authorities couldn\u2019t verify the births\u2014no hospital had records, and medical tests later confirmed Sithole hadn\u2019t been pregnant. The Gauteng government called the story a hoax and considered legal action.<\/p>\n Despite denials, Pretoria News<\/em> and Independent Media stood by the report, accusing officials of a cover-up. Rampedi later admitted to major errors in verifying the story, saying he trusted the couple and never investigated further.<\/p>\n The saga remains a cautionary tale of media responsibility, public gullibility, and viral misinformation.<\/p>\n