Fact Check: Did Mandela say 'Fools multiply when wise men are silent'?

An American page recently shared a quote they claim to be from the late Nelson Mandela, saying that 'Fools multiply when wise men are silent'. Briefly.co.za has a look to see if there is any truth to this.

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

U.S. Democratic Voices recently shared a questionable Nelson Mandela quote, claiming that the late icon had said:

"Fools multiply when wise men are silent."

Arguably one of the most iconic African leaders, has Mandela's image been hijacked by the page? Or did the freedom fighter really say this? Briefly.co.za takes a look:

PAY ATTENTION: Do you want to know what's trending on Briefly.co.za? Join our WhatsApp group today.

READ ALSO: Mashaba plans to 'expropriate' abandoned factories for cheap housing

The image was originally posted on American News X, a page that is known for spreading misinformation, according to The Daily Caller News Foundation.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has reportedly been unable to authenticate the quotation, and a search through Mandela's speeches and numerous books failed to find the quote in any of his comments.

In a nutshell, the quote is a fake in the sense that the late president did not utter those words.

The origin of the quote remains a mystery, but has been widely-attributed to Mandela without any sourcing.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!

Source: Briefly News