The pressure to see the 10 babies reportedly born to a South African woman about a week ago has intensified amid claims the mother had gone missing.
Last week IOL and Pretoria News reported that 37-year-old Gosiame Sithole had given birth to decuplets – seven boys and three girls.
Since then government officials have not been able to see the babies or locate the hospital, where they were born as pre-terms.
At first, there was a rush to help from companies and well-wishers, but with no evidence or record of the births, doubts have begun to surface.
An IOL report said Sitholes husband, Teboho Tsotetsi, revealed that his wife had previously given birth to twins, now aged six.
The Pretoria News stands by its story and its owner Dr. Iqbal Survé announced he had donated a million rand to assist the family.
On Friday the Gauteng department of social development said it, “wishes to confirm that the mother of the decuplets is not missing.
“She has contacted the Gauteng department of social development and the department will make an announcement in due course.”
However, Twitter doubters continued to question the authenticity of the story. They even suggested the home affairs department check its records of hospital births.
Others are simply demanding to see photographic proof. Media houses have offered to profile the medical practitioners who delivered the babies, but no one has come forward.
The elusive and secretive family reportedly says South Africans will see the babies when the time is right.
