The South African government has warned citizens about the number of fake social media accounts claiming to be those of ministers, advising them to access Twitter and Facebook accounts via departmental websites.
HumanIPO reported yesterday the National Treasury said a Twitter account created for newly appointed finance minister Nhlanhla Nene is fake.
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said in a statement it is aware of a number of fake accounts that have emerged since President Jacob Zuma announced his ministerial appointments, and warned the public to be wary.
“These accounts are established under the pretext of being official accounts using the South African Coat of Arms and/or names of appointed ministers,” it said.
The GCIS said among the fake accounts – as well as the one claiming to belong to Nene – is one purporting to be the new Department of Communications.
“Government wishes to put it on record that official Twitter and Facebook accounts are placed and linked to official websites of different government departments,” the statement said.
“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.”
