SA presidency wants Twitter to close Cyril Ramaphosa accounts

SA presidency wants Twitter to close Cyril Ramaphosa accounts

Fake Twitter accounts bearing the name of South Africa's deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa have been created, the presidency warned on Monday.

"The Presidency wishes to place it on record that the Deputy President does not have a Twitter or any other social media account,” the presidency has said.

“All information pertaining to the Deputy President’s activities as Deputy President of South Africa will be updated on the official Presidency Accounts. These are Twitter: @PresidencyZA and Facebook: The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

"The Presidency is in the process of requesting Twitter to shut down the fake accounts," it added.

In the meantime, tweets from the fake @CyrilRamaphosa Twitter account have kept its followers entertained.

"Gov should worry about service delivery, education, health care, but it releases statements about fake twitter accounts," reads one tweet.

"Yes. This is a fake account. Faux Compte. Buffalo Owner. A money pit as a backdrop? Me spraying champagne?"

The deputy president isn't the only politician to have a fake Twitter account created with their name.

In May, ITWeb Africa reported that a fake Twitter account bearing the name of finance minister, Nhlanhla Nene, was created following SA president Jacob Zuma announcement of the country’s new ministers.

Soon after it was created the account notched up 3,000 followers.

However, South Africa’s department of national treasury stated that the Twitter handle was fake.

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