Image: Itumeleng English / ANA Studio
The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has warned South Africans against relying on or sharing unverified information related to migration, saying the spread of false and misleading content poses a growing threat to social cohesion, public trust and informed public discourse.
The government said misinformation, disinformation and malinformation continue to fuel confusion, fear and division within communities, particularly on social media platforms, messaging applications and unofficial websites.
The warning comes amid heightened public debate around migration, border management and law enforcement, with government stressing that migration in South Africa is managed through established laws, policies and institutions while balancing national interests, human rights, public safety and regional commitments.
“Government cautions the public against trusting or sharing unverified content relating to migration, as misinformation, disinformation and malinformation continue to pose a growing challenge to social cohesion and informed public discourse,” the government said.
Government described misinformation as false or inaccurate information shared without the intention to deceive, while disinformation refers to the deliberate creation and spread of false information intended to mislead or manipulate the public.
Malinformation, it said, involves genuine information that has been taken out of context, altered or selectively...
Image: Itumeleng English / ANA Studio The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has warned South Africans against relying on or sharing unverified information related to migration...