The Office of the Chief Justice has warned the public about a fake declaration circulating online and falsely attributed to Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.
Image: Supplied
The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) says it has become aware of a fake “official declaration” circulating on social media and falsely attributed to Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, warning that the document is fraudulent, malicious, and intended to mislead the public.
The OCJ said the fake notice, dated 24 May 2026 and bearing the image of Chief Justice Maya, is not authentic. It added that the signature appearing on the document is also fraudulent.
''The signature used on it is also fake,'' said the OCJ.
In a statement, the office said it “distances Chief Justice Maya and the judiciary as a whole from this disinformation, which is clearly malicious and intended to mislead.”
The OCJ further urged members of the public not to circulate or amplify the false notice on social media platforms.
The fake declaration has emerged against the backdrop of heightened public debate and ongoing protests linked to immigration enforcement and undocumented migration, which have fuelled political and social tension in recent weeks.
The content of the fake poster purports to be a declaration issued by Chief Justice Maya, stating: “I Mandisa Maya, Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, make the following declaration in the interest of justice, constitutional order, and the protection of all who live in our country.”
It further claims that any planned protest or public demonstration scheduled for 30 June that promotes hostility, intimidation, violence, or unlawful discrimination against foreign nationals is “hereby proscribed and banned.”
The poster also states that such conduct would be inconsistent with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the values of human dignity, equality, and freedom, warning that anyone who participates in, incites, supports, or engages in violence or intimidation against foreign nationals “will be guilty of a criminal offence and will face the full might of the law.”
The emergence of the fake notice comes as the anti-illegal immigration group March and March says it will proceed with its planned national shutdown on 30 June, calling on undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
The group has maintained that its campaign is not xenophobic, saying it is instead focused on national security concerns and frustrations over undocumented migration.
The government has meanwhile reiterated calls for calm, with officials urging that protests remain peaceful and conducted within the law.
The fake poster concludes by saying: “The rights and safety of all persons in South Africa will be protected. The rule of law must prevail. Let justice guide us. Let peace unite us.
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