The South African National Editor’s Forum (Sanef) expressed its shock that the controversial Tembisa decuplets story has been shortlisted for a global award.

The story caused quite the stir last year, claiming that 37-year-old Gosiame Sithole had broken a Guinness World Record for carrying and delivering 10 babies.

The initial story was published by Independent Media.

However, the Tembisa Hospital later revealed that Sithole was never admitted to the hospital, nor is there any record of her giving birth there. There’s still no evidence that the 10 babies ever existed.

Sanef has written to the International News Media Association (INMA) expressing its concern. In response, INMA said judges focused on the quality of the social media campaign on the story, not the story itself and won’t reverse its decision.

Sanef has criticised the association’s response saying it is an embarrassment to South African journalism.