- The SABC finally addressed the rumours that Morning Live anchor Leanne Manas was being forced to quit her job
- This comes after a TikTok account with Manas' name claimed she was facing racial discrimination
- Manas herself took to her verified Instagram page to set the record straight about the rumours
Source: Instagram
A wave of fake TikTok posts claiming that veteran SABC presenter Leanne Manas had been pushed out of her role on Morning Live has been shut down by both the public broadcaster and the anchor herself. The posts, which spread rapidly online, suggested that racial discrimination was behind her alleged departure.
The impersonator account, which had amassed more than 20 000 followers, appeared convincing enough to fool a large number of social media users, many of whom believed they were reading updates directly from Manas.
Among the posts were messages reading, "Stop racism in South Africa. I'm being forced to resign from Morning Live," and "After 22 years of working for the SABC, I have decided to resign." It is understood to be one of several unverified accounts believed to be impersonating the news anchor on the platform.
Source: Instagram
SABC labels the claims false
The SABC moved quickly to address the situation on its official platforms, sharing a screenshot of one of the impersonating page's posts with a "FAKE NEWS" banner overlaid on it.
"SABC News wishes to clarify that reports circulating on social media regarding Morning Live Anchor Leanne Manas' alleged resignation from the organisation are false," the broadcaster said in part
See the SABC's statement below.
Leanne Manas sets the record straight
Manas added her own voice to the denial, turning to her official and verified Instagram page on 18 October 2026 to address her followers directly.
"I have absolutely NOT resigned from the SABC! I'm very much still part of the public broadcaster and will be back on your screens tomorrow after a beautiful week off!" she wrote.
She also made clear that she has no presence on TikTok, stating that "every TikTok account claiming to be me is FAKE."
Manas has been a familiar face on South African television since joining Morning Live in 2004 as co-anchor alongside the late Vuyo Mbuli, making her one of the longest-serving presenters on the SABC breakfast show.
See Leanne Manas' statement below.
SABC reportedly axes Paradys
In an earlier report, Briefly News shared insight into the SABC's abrupt decision to cancel Afrikaans telenovela, Paradys.
After just one season and a few months on screen, the hit show is said to have been given the boot as the SABC works on its broader broadcast strategy.
Source: Briefly News