The past few weeks have seen a surge of misleading and fake videos circulating on social media in South Africa, many of them tied to heightened tensions around illegal immigration.
Several of these clips were later debunked, but not before sparking outrage, confusion, and renewed online hostility.
Law enforcement agencies say the trend is becoming increasingly dangerous, warning that unverified content is fuelling panic and inflaming already sensitive debates.
The latest incident involves a video circulating online claiming that foreign nationals were attacking South Africans in Mayfair, Johannesburg. Gauteng police have since confirmed the footage is old and was recorded during a 2021 looting protest, not a current incident.
“The sharing of unverified content fuels public panic, can incite violence, and further undermines ongoing efforts by government and law enforcement to maintain peace and uphold the law,” SAPS said.
