The Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) has moved quickly to distance itself from a number of Twitter accounts claiming to belong to several officials and departments following yesterday's announcement of a new Cabinet.
The @NhlanhlaNeneZA account started tweeting yesterday, claiming to belong to new finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, but a GCIS statement condemned it as fake.
"Government wishes to clarify that people wanting to follow developments around the new Cabinet on social media are advised to access their Twitter and Facebook accounts via the respective departmental Web sites.
"Government Communications is aware that a number of fake accounts have emerged following president Jacob Zuma's announcement of the new national executive," says the GCIS in a statement.
"These accounts are established under the pretext of being official accounts using the South African Coat of Arms or names of appointed ministers.
"Government calls on those establishing these accounts to desist from impersonating government leaders and using these valuable communication platforms to try to confuse the people of South Africa."
Growing audience
@NhlanhlaNeneZA has already racked up more than 3 700 followers in the 20 hours since its first tweet. Among the numerous quips on its timeline, the account tweeted: "Oh, boy. I haven't even formally assumed office and the Democratic Alliance is putting pressure on me already."
In a cheeky reference to a 2008 viral video clip which shows Nene falling off his chair during a live television interview, another tweet read: "My brains did not fall out when I fell off that chair. I won't collapse the SA economy. Have faith in me, fellow South Africans." Nene was chairperson of Parliament's finance portfolio committee at the time of the interview.
Other tweets from the fake account depict a determined new minister. "Having served under both Manuel and Gordhan as deputy, I garnered enough expertise to rise [sic] the SA economy. I won't make the same mistakes."
Share