Online threats, insults fuel South Africa’s anti-foreigner hate, Analysts

Inflammatory social media posts, including videos of men with machetes and derogatory terms for foreigners, are intensifying emotions around an unofficial demand for illegal immigrants to leave South Africa by June 30. Analysts warn this is fueling a volatile situation, with thousands of foreign nationals already heading for the borders.

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Every morning, when you wake up, you see a traumatising video telling people that they’re going to kill people before June 30. You know the impact of social media these days: when people say they’re going to kill you, you can’t sleep.

Fringe anti-illegal immigration groups have set the June 30 "deadline," which lacks legal backing but has gained traction through nationwide protests, threats at workplaces, and a toxic social media campaign. Activists report daily "traumatizing videos" inciting violence, creating fear among those targeted.

Experts highlight that a small group of highly active accounts, influencers, and alternative media networks are disproportionately generating and amplifying anti-immigrant content. This includes disinformation, such as fake government announcements and videos falsely presented as recent attacks. Public works minister Dean Macpherson criticized these groups for "lighting a match on a very volatile situation."

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The best disinformation campaign is to convince a few people that thousands are convinced.

Police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe stated that intelligence officers are monitoring social media and engaging platforms as needed. The situation underscores the significant role of online rhetoric in exacerbating real-world xenophobia and driving displacement.

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It is very clear online that there are groups and organisations and individuals who are happy to light a match on a very volatile situation and then walk away when that fire erupts.