By Becker Semela:
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has come out strongly against a fake and defamatory post currently making the rounds on social media. The UDM acting secretary general, Zandile Phiri, said the post targets party deputy president, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, with a fabricated image and a sensationalist headline designed to mislead the public.
Phiri said the malicious post was nothing but a “shameful attempt at character assassination” as it shows how dangerous social media can be when used to spread lies and political propaganda. A picture showing Kwankwa with facial injuries that were clearly photoshopped was circulated, an act that has angered UDM leadership and members in general.
“The UDM wants to make it absolutely clear that Kwankwa is in good health, continues to serve the public with the integrity and dedication he is known for, and he has not been involved in any incident even remotely related to what is being falsely claimed. What makes this fake post even worse is that it falsely uses the ENCA logo and branding. By superimposing ENCA’s identity onto the fake image, the creators are trying to trick people into thinking the information is credible, whereas not. This is not only dishonest, but also a clear act of disrespect to both Kwankwa and the media community at large,” Phiri said.
She said her organization trusted that ENCA would speak out against the misuse of its brand and help stop the spread of fake news.
“Ironically, this attack only proves how much of a threat our deputy has become to those who hold on to power through lies and fear. His strong leadership and growing influence on the national stage clearly worry those who fear honest, principled politics. The fact that someone went to such lengths to spread false information shows that he is making a real impact. To the people who created and shared this disgusting content, the UDM has one message: shame on you. This cowardly campaign will not succeed in distracting our leaders or stopping their work. Lies and dirty tricks have no place in our democracy, ” Phiri said.
She said the UDM also calls on all South Africans to be careful when sharing information online, to always check facts using credible sources and to report harmful content to the administrators of social media platforms. “In this digital age, it’s more important than ever to protect the truth and stand against those who use technology to mislead and divide. The organization remains committed to principled leadership and will not be swayed by baseless attacks,” said Phiri. – @NewsSA_Online
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