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.
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.
Police have urged the public to verify information before sharing it, warning that misinformation spreads rapidly on social media and can escalate tensions unnecessarily. Authorities also reminded communities that any criminal activity should be reported through official policing channels rather than circulated online.
The warning comes amid broader national and diplomatic clarification efforts following claims linked to xenophobia concerns.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola recently held discussions with World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus following concerns raised about alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
During the engagement, government disputed some of the claims circulating internationally, saying reported figures had been misrepresented and in some cases were inaccurate.
“The South African government condemns violent incidents in the strongest terms. These incidents do not reflect the values or position of government and its people. Those responsible will face the full force of the law,” Lamola said.
He added that irregular migration remains a challenge for the country but stressed it must be managed “humanely and within the framework of the law,” warning against individuals or groups who exploit migration tensions for political or criminal purposes.
Authorities say both the domestic spread of misinformation and international misreporting risk deepening mistrust, and are calling for restraint, verification, and responsible use of social media.
Saturday Star