Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Zweli Mkhize has distanced himself from fake social media accounts purporting to be him.
Alerting the public in a brief statement, the department said Mkhize wishes to alert social media users and the public about the existence of the fake and fraudulent Facebook accounts under his name.
The department reiterates that Mkhize does not have a personal Facebook account.
“The Ministry condemns this fraudulent and mischievous use of the Minister’s profile, name and photographs,” the department said.
Mkhize is accessible through his twitter account: @DrZweliMkhize or the CoGTA social media platforms - @NationalCoGTA (Twitter) and National CoGTA (Facebook).
Mkhize is the latest Minister to fall victim of social media fraud.
In December, then Home Affairs Minister Ayanda Dlodlo approached the Hawks to investigate what appeared to be a criminal syndicate operating on the online platforms.
According to the now Public Service and Administration Minister, the impostors created numerous fake accounts not just for misinformation and personal data compromise but to extort money from unsuspecting patrons on social media, especially high profile personalities. – SAnews.gov.za
