Johannesburg – Popular South African actress Gugu Gumede has taken to social media to address a viral video that claimed she was getting married next month.
The video, which appeared on Facebook Reels, depicted a heartbroken Gugu mourning her mother's death before her "big day," accompanied by a caption that read, "Next month is my wedding and you're no more."
The video also featured a photo of Gugu with former president Jacob Zuma, sparking speculation about a potential marriage between the two, insinuating that she would become Zuma's seventh wife as he currently has six wives.
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However, Gugu has vehemently denied the claims, stating that the video was created using a fake Facebook account. She expressed her frustration with the spread of misinformation on social media, highlighting the damage it can cause.
"I have many accounts that are fake. People create content using my name. Some are bored, and don't know how much damage they're causing. It's a pity there are still people who believe the accounts are real. These accounts have thousands of followers and it's unfortunate," Gugu said.
The actress emphasized that she uses her social media platforms to share her work and promote her projects, not to divulge personal details. She urged her followers to be cautious and discerning when consuming content online.
"If I'm really getting married, I wouldn't share the news on social media. I only share my work stuff and promotions. I also share my weight loss journey and give tips and hope to those who wish to lose weight. Social media users who are following us must be careful and differentiate between real and fake," she said.
Gugu's mother passed away in September 2022 at the age of 59 after suffering a stroke that left her wheelchair-bound. The actress has previously shared her grief over the loss of her mother, and the timing of the fake video has added to the distress she is experiencing.
Gugu is not the first celebrity to fall victim to cybercrime. Many other prominent figures in South Africa's music, television, and radio industries have also been targeted by fake accounts and online impersonation.
DJ Tira, Nothando Ngcobo, Zodwa Wabantu, and others have had to deal with similar situations, highlighting the growing problem of social media fraud.
