South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu death news, fake

A twitter account claiming to be Stephen Moreo, the Bishop of Johannesburg, released false claims that South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu passed away.

The twitter handle stated, “ATTENTION. The Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg receives now the sad news of the death of our dearest Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

“The Most Reverend Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu dies at 90. Official note to be released soon.”

The Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg has however released a statement debunking the rumor.

“Social media reports circulating worldwide that quote the Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg, the Rt Revd Dr Steve Moreo, as having said Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu had died, are false and malicious.

“The Diocese of Johannesburg decries the falsehood being spread on social media and asks people to respond with extreme caution to fake media reports such as this,” it stated.

While the world started to mourn the bishop, the Desmond Tutu Foundation commented on the viral tweet confirming it was fake news.

“The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation can confirm this is not true, it is fake news. @TheDesmondTutu as well as Mrs Leah Tutu are still with us. Thank you,” the tweet read.

Shortly after, the foundation released a statement on its Twitter account which condemned the false news.

“The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation outrightly condemns the false, irresponsible, mischievous news that has been circulated today about our Founder Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. Archbishop Tutu is firmly with us,” read the statement.

The twitter account which made the false claim has however been deactivated.