A South African woman who made headlines for being pregnant with decuplets — for those keeping score at home, that’s 10 babies — has had her story thrown into question.
Gosiame Sithole claimed to have given birth to 10 babies at a hospital in Pretoria, but after some investigation, reports out of South Africa suggest no sign of the babies could be found.
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As Pretoria News reported, Sithole is now being held for psychiatric evaluation.
Ten babies is a *lot* of babies.
Consider the fact that “Octomom” Nadya Suleman is recognized as the co-record holder by Guinness for most babies birthed at once who went on to survive.
Suleman gave birth to eight babies, while Sithole claimed to give birth to 10.
In photos, Sithole certainly appears pregnant.
The 37-year-old appeared in photos that showed her with a significant baby bump.
While the news of her decuplet birth made headlines, nobody has seen any photos of the babies yet. Indeed, as Eyewitness News reported, investigations haven’t turned up any evidence that Sithole ever gave birth.
According to a source, there never was a pregnancy.
A source told South African media that there’s no evidence that Sithole was ever pregnant, including lack of a C-section incision, never mind the babies themselves, suggesting that she was faking the whole thing.
The alleged babies’ dad also says they don’t exist.
Teboga Tsotetsi told media that he’d made attempts to visit his girlfriend and her children, but couldn’t locate their whereabouts.
“The family has resolved and concluded that there are no decuplets born between Tebogo Tsotetsi and Gosiame Sitole, until proven otherwise and wishes to apologize for any inconvenience and embarrassment,” he said in a statement.
It’s a tough story to sort out.
The various parties involved have spoken, but there isn’t really a definitive news source to give the full story. According to Indy 100 , Pretoria News claims to have details of Sithole’s delivery but isn’t publishing them due to “cultural and religious reasons.”
Now, Sithole is reportedly being held against her will in a psych ward.
Her lawyer, Refiloe Mokoena, told Pretoria News she is “now being held against her will” at a clinic.
“[The clinic] told me that now she was in their custody, they would not be allowing the lawyers and the team of psychologists that she had requested to be present,” he added.
It’s a sad story.
While giving birth to 10 babies would be a real headline-grabber, the truth appears to be rather sad.
What do you think?
Here’s hoping Sithole is able to get the help she needs.
Let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.
