Leanne Manas dismisses ‘Morning Live’ resignation rumours as fake news
SABC presenter Leanne Manas has dismissed reports that she has resigned from the public broadcaster, telling viewers on Monday she remains part of the Morning Live team.
Manas addressed the rumours during the broadcast alongside fellow presenter Sakina Kamwendo after a video claiming she had left the news channel went viral on social media.
“Before we dive into today’s trending topics, I want to address some of the misinformation currently circulating online. Believe it or not, I am still at work. I’m right here as you see me. There are fake social media accounts impersonating me, and I am still here. I’m still part, and very proudly so, of the Morning Live team,” she said.
Manas said the spread of fake news and impersonation accounts were particularly concerning given the impact misinformation could have on the public.
“Please disregard those conflicting reports and unverified profiles. There is so much disinformation out there. It’s absolutely frightening.”
She said the spread of fake news was a reminder of the need to be cautious about information circulating online.
Manas recounted how she became aware of the rumours after returning from overseas.
“I arrived from overseas, and when I was at passport control, it started there. I was on an overnight flight, and I had no idea what was going on. Guys, please be careful,” she said.
In a light-hearted moment during the broadcast, Kamwendo touched her hand to reassure viewers that she was physically present in the studio.
“She’s not cold. She’s for real, not AI. This is the real thing,” Kamwendo joked.
She said false reports about presenters were not unusual, adding official-looking accounts could contribute to the spread of misinformation.
“You know we live in that sort of era. Don’t worry, they also kill us every three months. These things happen all the time,” she said.
Manas urged social media users to verify information before sharing it, saying false claims could gain traction simply because people continue circulating them.
“You have to check and recheck and check again that these things are true because these guys get traction because one person starts spreading it and they just want the clicks,” she said.
Kamwendo questioned the responsibility of social media companies in addressing impersonated accounts.
“The companies don’t take enough responsibility for fake accounts,” she said.
Manas expressed frustration with the process of reporting fake accounts, saying she did not believe reporting them resulted in their removal.
The SABC urged the public not to spread unverified information.
“SABC News wishes to clarify that reports circulating on social media regarding Morning Live anchor Leanne Manas’s alleged resignation from the organisation are false. We encourage the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and to rely on credible sources and verified accounts for accurate updates.”