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Xenophobia: South African Government Threatens To Punish Persons Circulating Fake News

September 9, 2019

Creation and distribution of such messages potentially open social media users to prosecution, as fake messaging intends to instil panic and cause disorder.

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The South African Government has threatened to prosecute any social media user circulating fake videos, pictures or messages about xenophobic attacks in the country.

The government gave the warning on its official Twitter handle @GovernmentZA on Monday.

It said, “Government urges vigilance about social media messages that contain alleged warnings of planned violence against foreign nationals.

“Creation and distribution of such messages potentially open social media users to prosecution, as fake messaging intends to instil panic and cause disorder.

“Recycling old video material on social media, as well as ‘war talk’ by certain individuals only seeks to fuel tensions between South Africans and other Africans.

“The police will continue their work to restore order and government urges all law-abiding citizens to work alongside South Africa Police Services to isolate these criminals.”