Social media users warned against sharing fake death rumours

Managing Director at Reputation First Group, Tshepo Matseba, says fabricated death-rumors shared on digital platforms about individuals don’t only impact them but their loved ones too.

“The rumors of someone suggesting that they have passed on can be devastating, especially on digital platforms, where children have access.“ says Matseba.

Matseba referenced to an example of a child receiving news of their parent’s death on social media, saying such information has the ability to destabilise and send shock to children, and even the people who are attached to the fabricated rumours.

“It’s really a painful exercise to watch when people perpetuate this level of activity on social media, as it is impacting an individual’s name, their family, friends, and colleagues in a very negative manner” says Matseba.

Matseba was reacting to rumours on social media, that blogger Musa Khawula had died in police custody.

One particular user known as Slik Talk who does similar work to Khawula was heard saying in a video he posted, that a reliable source informed him that Khawula is “no more” and that he died following an altercation with another inmate.

Musa Khawula has died in prison following an altercation he had with an inmate? #LalaNgoxolo 🙆🏻😳

“RIP Musa Khawula the GOAT, what a legend, I’ll always respect him.”🕊🕊

Slik Talk says he got the news from a reliable, credible source.💔

Somizi Thabo Bester Mac G Ndlozi Lerato pic.twitter.com/UWZ7544CdJ

— YaseBlock B 🇸🇿 (@ThisIsColbert) August 21, 2024

The Department of Correctional Services has since confirmed to YNews that Khawula is still alive and kicking in prison, serving a 2 months sentence.

Matseba says the facelessness of accounts on digital platforms has given people leeway to sharing malicious content.

He adds that lack of accountability and consequence management on digital platforms contributes to fabrication.

“Faceless people on social media platform who have bad intentions join such negative conversations and start malicious content sharing” says Matseba.

The brand specialist also added that society has lost touch with the spirit of Ubuntu and moral values.

“Generally speaking, In Africa issues of death are discreet and respected and that is why at funerals men would wear blazers, while females wear hats, as a symbolic gesture to demonstrate respect for the process of mourning” says Matseba.

Matseba believes fabricated death rumors can also have a negative effect on a person’s brand or reputation.

He gives an example of a well performing owner of a company who falls victim to rumors of them dying, while they are actually still alive, and then witnessing their organisation’s share price declining, as a result of the rumors being spread about them.

“More importantly for a person who is a celebrity, especially depending on what is rumored to have been the caused of their death. The rumors carry with them reputational risk, especially if people suggest that the person was abusing substances. It can create a shock factor within their clientele or markets that they operate within” says Matseba.

Matseba suggests that people should familiarise themselves with various social media guidelines that companies and the governments share with the public on how to constructively and effectively use digital platforms.

He adds that its pertinent for us to recall our moral values of collectivism, and Ubuntu.

Matseba says we need to build trust and respect people’s lives and use social media to share positive and constructive information.

Written by Odirile Rabolao