The African National Congress (ANC) has dismissed rumours that Deputy Secretary General (DSG) Jessie Duarte has passed away, calling it fake news.
The party warned that, should the peddlers of the ‘misleading rumours’ persist, the ANC will be left with no choice but to approach relevant authorities to investigate the origins and accordingly act upon those responsible.
Jessie Duarte send a voice note and this pic regarding rumours She passed on. She confirmed She has cancer and recovering at the moment. #GetwellsoonDuarte pic.twitter.com/0Hv3W0BLIB
— Colman (@PhotoColman) April 24, 2022
“ANC has learned with great shock of fake news messages doing rounds that Duarte passed on. These fake news messages are very inhumane, barbaric, inconsiderate and very hurtful to the person of the DSG, her family, friends, comrades as well as to the broader mass democratic movement,” said ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe..
Mabe further said “The ANC dismisses these nonsensical claims peddled by some through fake news messages across social and mainstream media platforms”.
Duarte who was handling the work at the party’s head office, Luthuli House amid the suspension of ANC secretary-General Ace Magashule in 2021 took a sick leave and was reported that she was suffering from cancer.
“Duarte has been ill for sometime and is now well on the road to full recovery. The ANC is encouraged by comrade Duarte’s display of strength on a daily basis and look forward to her
imminent return to office.
“We call on those responsible for the dissemination of these malicious and insensitive rumours to immediately refrain from such acts as they are causing nothing but unnecessary panic within the movement and amongst DSG Duarte’s family, friends and comrades,” Mabe said.
Mabe said the party is appreciative of the continued support that the family is giving to Duarte.
“We further commend our national officials, members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and all those who took their time to visit Duarte in person and many others who continue to convey well wishes. The outpouring messages of support and prayers have contributed immensely to her road to recovery. We also convey our words of gratitude to the medical team for their professional service. The ANC will continue to offer moral support to Duarte and also update the nation at large on progress relating to her recovery,” Mabe said..
Ordinary South Africans took to social media conveying their well wishes for Duarte For a speedy recovery.
According to one Twitter user Colman @PhotoColman: “Jessie Duarte sent a voice note and this pic regarding rumours she passed on. She confirmed she has cancer and is recovering at the moment”.