Johannesburg - A Twitter account created in Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga's name was not hers, the department said on Wednesday.
“Bogus news items, such as comments, were posted on the fake account. Giving the mistaken impression that the minister was using that platform to engage with South Africans,” spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said.
In a statement he said Motshekga did not have a personal Twitter account.
Motshekga communicated through the official department Twitter account and her handle was (at)DBE_SA.
“We warn the public and those using social media to ignore the account as it does not represent the department, the minister or government. The creator/s of this account are disrespectful and seek only to tarnish the good name of the minister,” Lesufi said.
The Twitter account (at)AngieMotshekga sports a picture of the minister with a large A-plus mark in the background.
The profile appears to have been created on Tuesday. It has tweeted 42 times and has 122 followers.
Recent activity on the profile includes a picture of Motshekga with Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
Above her head is a blurb reading: “This doesn't mean we're friends” and #JZ4LYF (President Jacob Zuma for life). There was also a blurb above Motlanthe's head displaying a sad face.
Some of the tweets include: “Thinking of putting libraries in schools so learners stay at school longer #LOl (laugh out loud) #jk (just kidding) Then teachers would have to stay after 2:00pm! #neva (sic).
“Parents, make sure your children are on time tomorrow for the first day of school! Those mud schools aren't going to fill themselves!
“On the first day of Mangaung, we stole Kgalema's lunchbox and hid his political support in some one (sic) else's locker #backtoschool #LOL.” - Sapa