Updated

Tanzania's state broadcaster has suspended nine staffers for a fake news story saying U.S. President Donald Trump had congratulated President John Magufuli for being a good African leader.

Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation's main channel aired the story Friday.

A statement by the broadcaster's chief, Ayub Rioba Chacha, says that "such irregularities would have not happened" if professional procedures had been followed.

The fake news story said Trump made the remarks when signing a law barring the citizens of certain African countries whose presidents are clinging to power.

The broadcaster appeared to have picked up the story from an obscure website.