South African former President Thabo Mbeki is alive and well, his foundation says.

The foundation was reacting to reports circulating on social media on Wednesday regarding the former president’s health, with some claiming he had died.

“We categorically deny these reports and wish to assure the public that President Mbeki is in good health,” the foundation said in a statement.

“We urge caution and responsible engagement with online information, particularly during a time when misinformation can spread rapidly.”

This is not the first time Mr Mbeki has been targeted in a fake news report.

In 2021, during the Covid pandemic, social media reports falsely claimed that the former leader had died.

Mr Mbeki succeeded the country’s first black president, Nelson Mandela. He served as South Africa’s second democratically elected president from 1999 until 2008.

Source:BBC