Energy minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has distanced herself from a fake Facebook account claiming to belong to her.
The Department of Energy says the various Facebook accounts that have emerged over the past few months are fictitious and illegally set up in the minister's name.
A statement says: "Minister Joemat-Pettersson again wishes to advise the media and the general public that she does not have any Facebook account in her personal capacity or name, no matter how genuine these may be made to look.
"These accounts are designed with the sole purpose of embarrassing the minister and are nothing more than part of an obnoxious smear campaign. Facebook has been advised accordingly."
The fake Facebook page is the latest social media scam account purported to belong to a government minister or department. Ministers Faith Muthambi and Ngoako Ramatlhodi, the Department of Science and Technology, as well as the Department of Home Affairs have been victims of fake social media accounts in recent months.
The department has encouraged stakeholders in the energy sector as well as the general public to follow the minister's activities through the department's various social media platforms to access news and information relating to the minister's activities.
The department says the public can follow its official social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter @Energy_ZA.
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