It seems even local celebrities were duped by the gut-wrenching – but fake – story about Kamo.
Twitter user, @JustKhuthi, had South Africans in tears after sharing a story on about her friend Kamogelo “Kamo” Peterson, whose father had to turn off her life support after she was attacked and raped.
Khuthi's story, which was told in 70 points on Twitter, had people hanging on to her every word, and shedding bucket loads of tears.
The tale began after she tweeted, “story time” - which should have been a clue in itself.
Khuthi claimed her best friend Kamo went missing, and her blood stained car was found abandoned, with no sign of her.
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Kamo was allegedly eventually found badly beaten, raped, and clinging to life after being dumped on the side of the road.
Her father, who a few years earlier had apparently lost Kamo’s twin and mother in a car accident, was forced to turn off Kamo’s life support due to her severe injuries.
Khuthi ended her story: “I'm only 18, but I feel like I'm 43. I'm tired of being South African. Please be safe out there. We live in such a cruel world...Will we get justice for Kamo? Probably not. Peace? I don't know. But I pray to forgive and heal. Rest in peace lover @Kamo51702562”
Thousands tweeted their messages of condolences, while others urged the women in their lives to be careful while driving alone.
Khuthi even thanked people for their support, and her story made it into local newspapers.
Thank you guys for all your kind and comforting words. Your response is overwhelming and I hope this raises awareness 💛
— January 21st ☆ (@JustKhuthi) January 10, 2016
But it was all a big lie! Khuthi, who should probably start writing fiction novels, made the whole thing up.
Twitter users poked holes in Khuthi's story, after doing some investigating and uncovered her lies.
Khuthi created Kamo as her fiction character, Kamo never even existed in the first place. I'm afraid we're dealing with a psycho, creepy. 😶😶
— Kamo's Classmate (@Kgosigadi_Emmy) January 11, 2016
Look man My mate told me to re-read that story and to actually go to Kamo's TL. that's what I did. Boy,if you look at the finer detail...
— nathi fani (@nathi_fani) January 11, 2016
You'll see what we mean. Currently we are calling all 6 universities to find out if there is a Kamogelo Peterson in these institutions
— nathi fani (@nathi_fani) January 11, 2016
All universities have no records of this Kamo hon. None whatsoever. Actuarial science is a very exclusive thing to study
— nathi fani (@nathi_fani) January 11, 2016
I've got to give it to you boo,you've won 2016 11days in @JustKhuthi #Wasteeverybodystime2016
— nathi fani (@nathi_fani) January 11, 2016
Not only did celebrities tweet their sadness over the story, but so did government officials.
Here’s what some of them had to say after discovering the story was fake.
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She proper had us. We were busy texting our friends telling each other to pray and always be careful because "#RIPKamo". 💔😢😢😢😭
— #LEGiTxBOiTY (@Boity) January 11, 2016
As fictional as the story was, Our concerns, prayers & tears were real and they were for every 'Kamo' who has truly experienced such horror.
— #LEGiTxBOiTY (@Boity) January 11, 2016
So is Kamo a fictional character with a Twitter acc? I don't even know what to ask ...question suggestions pls 😔
— Bonnie Mbuli (@BonnieMbuli) January 11, 2016
I raised a brow when she said no one had a pic of Kamo. Not even on their phones? IG maybe? Then I thought they meant a hard copy. 😥
— Khanya Mkangisa (@KhanyaMkangisa) January 11, 2016
I was super confused that Kamo was about to be an actuary AND also about to blow up as a tennis star. Both are not pap 'n vleis careers. 🙆🏽🙈
— Poppy Ntshongwana (@PoppyIsMyName) January 11, 2016
Newspapers printed 'Kamo's ' story as an actual happening no verification and these are the people who you want not to be regulated.
— Loyiso Gola (@loyisogola) January 11, 2016
So Kamo story was fiction??? Sies man!!!!
— Terry Pheto (@TerryPheto) January 11, 2016
Looks like some of us got Kamo'd. Eish!
— Khanyi Dhlomo (@KhanyiDhlomo) January 11, 2016
#Kamo...seriously pic.twitter.com/uFwFQ1K7Dr
— Gail Nkoane Mabalane (@GailMabalane) January 11, 2016
Finding Kamo was more like Finding Nemo ? pic.twitter.com/7yqw6MxdYL
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) January 11, 2016
Despite Khuthi crying wolf about a serious issue, the Department of Women feel it is not just a story, but a reality for many women in SA.
Kamo by Khuthi maybe fictional but the rape of Kamo of Diepsloot,Sandton r real.Their ordeal just didnt make it on twitter #itsnotjustastory
— Department of Women (@Dept_of_Women) January 11, 2016
If the actual account of Kamo is a work of creative writing, it is inspired&reflects a sad reality of Women in our country #itsnotjustastory
— Department of Women (@Dept_of_Women) January 11, 2016
Image credit: Twitter/@JustKhuti
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Image credit: Twitter/@JustKhuti