UPINGTON, NORTHERN CAPE — Northern Cape police have issued a stern warning to the public regarding the deliberate circulation of misleading protest videos aimed at spreading false narratives about recent attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses in the province.
Law enforcement authorities revealed that an old video from a 2020 protest against undocumented foreigners in Upington is being actively recirculated on social media. Alongside other news footage, the outdated clips are being weaponized to create a fabricated narrative of current violence. Police state that those spreading the content are deliberately attempting to influence public sentiment and mobilize support for a planned protest scheduled for Tuesday, where demonstrators intend to demand that undocumented immigrants leave the country.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has urged residents to exercise critical thinking and restraint before sharing digital content. According to police spokespersons, social media must not be exploited as a tool to sow division, fuel xenophobia, or destabilize local communities. SAPS emphasized that they are monitoring the situation closely and will not hesitate to take decisive legal action against any individual using digital platforms to incite violence, spread hate speech, or threaten public safety.
The incident highlights a growing challenge in digital literacy and the mechanics of online manipulation. A digital expert noted that social media platforms bear a tremendous responsibility to curb the spread of misleading material, pointing out a common public misconception about how misinformation operates.
The expert explained that false information does not need to be artificially generated—such as a deepfake—to be dangerous. Instead, some of the most effective misinformation involves authentic, real-world footage presented in a completely false context. Recirculating an old video to make it appear as though a crisis is currently unfolding can be just as inflammatory and misleading as entirely fabricated media, as it creates a false impression of immediate danger.
In preparation for the planned march next week, SAPS has established a provincial joint structure to coordinate resources and maintain public order. Law enforcement officers are being strategically deployed across identified hotspots in the Northern Cape to monitor developments, ensure the safety of communities, and respond rapidly to any potential incidents.
