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South Africans willvote in local government elections on 4 November 2026, with the final in-person voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August.

These elections determine who will run your municipality for the next five years – the people responsible for many of the services that shape daily life, from fixing potholes and maintaining streetlights to collecting rubbish and managing water and electricity distribution.

But voter turnout has been falling for years, dropping from 58% in 2016 to 46% in 2021, with many eligible voters not registering or voting. Experts expect coalition governments to remain a feature of politics after this year's election.

Understanding what municipalities can actually do is important. They are responsible for local services and infrastructure, but not for national functions such as policing, immigration or social grants.

Voting alone won't solve every municipal problem. But it does decide who controls local budgets, oversees service delivery and can be held accountable by residents over the next five years.

We're continuing to monitor and fact-check the most harmful migration-related disinformation as it emerges. Follow our live report for verified updates.

❌ Claim: "A video of president Cyril Ramaphosa shows him announcing that South Africans have been banned from travelling to European countries because of xenophobic violence."

The video offered as evidence for the claim is misleading. It shows Ramaphosa speaking in 2021 about temporary travel restrictions imposed after the Omicron Covid-19 variant was identified.

Africa Check found no evidence that any European country has banned or restricted travel by South Africans because of the 2026 protests.

Useful reading on this topic:

• Four ways disinformation about migration is circulating in South Africa
• EXPLAINER: International migrants, jobs and crime in South Africa: What do the numbers show?

📲 Seen something suspicious online? Reply to this email, submit it via our website, or send it to us on WhatsApp or social media.

A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, despite being widely shared. 

South Africa 🇿🇦

FALSE: No, the South African Social Security Agency has not announced major grant increases for 2027.

FALSE: Viral images do not show bandits ‘neutralised’ by the Nigerian army in Zamfara state - they were taken in South Africa.

Kenya 🇰🇪

SCAM: Kenyans, beware of fake Facebook ads claiming gas company Progas is hiring.

FAKE: No evidence that Kenya’s former ruling party Jubilee Party is closing offices over money woes.

FAKE: The same Jubilee Party and nascent but popular Linda Mwananchi movement did not announce a new ‘third force’ ahead of 2027 elections.

FAKE: Article praising Kenya’s electoral commission over crucial Ol Kalou by-election is not from the Standard newspaper.

FAKE: Kenya’s Standard newspaper didn’t publish Kikuyu-language headline claiming president William Ruto was defeated in Ol Kalou by-election.

Nigeria 🇳🇬

FALSE: No evidence Nigeria’s supreme court ruled on lawsuit challenging Arabic inscription on the army's logo.

FALSE: Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote did not endorse presidential candidate Peter Obi ahead of 2027 polls.

FALSE: No evidence Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones will become a new tier of government in October 2026.

FALSE: Popular Nigerian presidential hopeful Peter Obi did not fake being at roundtable in Germany.

MISLEADING: Bashir El-Rufai did not recently praise Peter Obi, old statement recirculated as new.

SCAM: Fake Facebook page impersonates Nigeria’s first lady to promote nonexistent empowerment programme.

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Your weekly dose of facts in newsletter form is created by Laura Kapelari (@laurakapelari). It is edited by Lee Mwiti (@LMAfrican) and Cayley Clifford (@cayleyclifford).