Africa Check

FAKE: Graphic claiming South African political party DA ‘welcomes all asylum seekers from Africa’ is AI-generated

A graphic circulating widely on social media in South Africa appears to show two high-ranking members of the Democratic ...
Africa Check

Pregnant women in South African province not told to ‘bring mattresses or give birth on the floor’ – health department dismisses claim

According to graphics doing the rounds on Facebook in South Africa, pregnant women in the country’s Eastern Cape province are ...
Africa Check

#LGE2026: nine ANC manifesto claims put to the test

Several of the ANC’s claims are supported by the data, including those on access to water and sanitation, state-subsidised housing, employment programmes and youth unemployment. But others need ...
Africa Check

#LGE2026 FACTSHEET: what the data tells us about electricity access in South Africa

More than nine in 10 South African households are connected to mains electricity. But access varies sharply depending on ...
Africa Check

South Africa’s #LGE2026: how your vote is counted – and what if something goes wrong?

Despite widespread false claims on social media, there are several mechanisms in place to help keep elections free and fair.
Africa Check

Beware of fake South African electoral commission job adverts – use only verified IEC channels

Posts doing the rounds on Facebook in South Africa have been sharing links where social media users can supposedly apply for ...
Africa Check

Ignore AI-generated image claiming South Africa’s home affairs offices have been shut down

A graphic circulating on TikTok and Facebook shows a locked door with a red “CLOSED” sign at a building marked “home affairs” ...
Africa Check

FAKE: South African news outlet eNCA didn’t quote Zimbabwe’s president on anti-migrant protests

A screenshot of what appears to be an X post by South African news organisation eNCA has been circulating widely on social ...
Africa Check

Fact-checking 2026 Independence Day claims by Nigerian president Bola Tinubu

Tinubu used the speech to make a case for re-election, with presidential polls just three months away. But did his claims all ...
Africa Check

Ignore fake memo announcing temporary closure of Masinde Muliro University

Following the commencement of the lecturers’ industrial action scheduled for Friday 2nd October 2026, the university will ...
Africa Check

No evidence criminals are claiming to test blood sugar for free only to ‘inject victims with HIV’ – old hoax resurfaces

According to a shocking claim sent to Africa Check by subscribers to our WhatsApp lines, criminals are going around offering free blood sugar ...
Africa Check

#LGE2026: What South Africa’s major parties are promising voters in the local elections

Water, electricity, roads, municipal debt and jobs are among the issues political parties are campaigning on ahead of the 4 November elections. We compare their promises and highlight the pledges ...