Leanne Manas Breaks Silence on Viral Resignation Claims as SABC Issues Official Warning

South African television presenter Leanne Manas has spoken out after false reports claiming she had resigned from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) spread across social media, prompting an official response from the public broadcaster.

Manas, the longtime co-anchor of Morning Live, addressed the speculation on her official Facebook page on 18 October 2026. She made it clear that she had not left the SABC and explained that her absence from television was because she had been enjoying a week off.

The rumours reportedly circulated through TikTok accounts using the presenter’s name and suggesting that she had been forced to leave her position. However, neither the claims about her resignation nor the allegations attached to those posts were verified.

The SABC subsequently issued its own clarification, stating that reports about Manas’s alleged resignation were false. The broadcaster urged the public to stop sharing unverified information and to rely on credible sources and verified accounts for updates.

Manas also warned that TikTok accounts claiming to represent her were fake, saying she had never posted on the platform. Her return to Morning Live on 19 October further contradicted the online claims.

The incident highlights the growing challenge of impersonation and misinformation affecting public figures in South Africa. False posts can spread quickly, damage reputations and mislead audiences before reliable information becomes available.

Why it matters: Manas’s response and the SABC’s clarification show why readers should verify dramatic celebrity or employment claims before sharing them.

Question for readers: Should social media platforms do more to remove fake accounts impersonating celebrities and journalists?

https://sundaytribune.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/2026-10-21-leanne-manas-denies-sabc-resignation-rumours-and-warns-of-fake-tiktok-accounts/

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