Share

Singer slams 'nasty April Fool's joke'

Johannesburg – Singer Karlien van Jaarsveld is shocked about an April Fool's joke that claimed she was seriously injured in a car crash.

"Such jokes are sick," she said and added that she liked to joke around, but then it had to be about things one could laugh about. "You don't joke about someone's life," she said.

She said on Twitter the joke was "nasty", especially considering the shocking death of Zak van Niekerk on Friday in a car accident.

No cellphone signal

SMSes and BBMs about Van Jaarsveld's "accident" circulated through the country since Saturday.

The message read: "Karlien van Jaarsveld has just been in a big accident and has been very seriously injured. She was on her way home and a taxi drove in front of her and she tried to swerve but then lost control of the car and the car rolled. She was admitted to the Medi-Clinic Pretoria and we ask very nicely that you think of her and her family… and please send to other people. She really needs prayers."

It was not clear where the message came from.

Twitter was abuzz with news of the "accident".

No one could get hold of Van Jaarsveld or her mother and manager, Ronel Brink, for about 24 hours, which further fuelled the rumours.

They were at a concert in Memel in the Free State where there was no cellphone signal.

'Out of hand'

Brink at about 23:00 called her assistant from a farmhouse where they were staying to say they were safe after hearing about the SMS.

The assistant immediately posted on Van Jaarsveld's Facebook page and on Twitter that the story wasn't true.

As no one could reach Karlien or her mother, they kept calling her brother, singer Bobby van Jaarsveld.

"Everyone was in a state about the story and it got out of hand," said Karlien.

"People are sad and upset about this.

"The little girls in the area where we live (in Centurion) this morning (Sunday morning) ran to my brother to hear what had happened to me," she said.

"When I heard of this, I went onto my knees to thank Jesus that I am alive and for everyone's support.

"People don't know what they are doing when they send such a message."

On Sunday heading back to Centurion, Karlien said on Twitter: "I was out of signal reach for 24 hours. The rumours that I was in an accident are completely untrue. I am 100%. Thanks for all your support. Love!"
 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE