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Migration is one of South Africa's most contested issues. But many of the claims shaping the debate don't stand up to scrutiny. In our latest explainer, we examine three of the common narratives and compare them with the available evidence.

Narrative #1: "There are tens of millions of undocumented migrants in South Africa."

What the evidence shows: No credible data supports this. While estimates vary, migrants make up about 4 to 5% of South Africa's population – close to the global average.

Narrative #2: "Migrants are taking jobs from South Africans."

What the evidence says: National data does not show that migrants dominate the labour market. Research also suggests migration can create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

Narrative #3: "Migrants drive crime and overwhelm public services."

What the data says: Available evidence does not show that migrants commit crime at disproportionately higher rates or are the main source of pressure on public services.

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

❌ "This video shows a white South African business owner saying he cannot work with South Africans “who don’t want to work” because they are “drunk”, and that he will be moving his company to Zimbabwe."

This is false. Several signs show the video's audio was altered using AI, including an unnatural voice and an American accent despite the man being South African. The original Instagram video shows a different conversation about hiring practices. Nowhere does the businessman say South Africans are "drunk" or that he is moving his company to Zimbabwe.

❌ "Spar has announced 15,000 new jobs after foreign-born workers left South Africa."

Anti-migrant activist Nkosinathi Ndabandaba claimed Spar had created 15,000 new jobs after undocumented migrants left South Africa. Spar has denied the claim, saying vacancies are advertised only through its official channels. There is also no evidence that removing foreign-born workers would significantly reduce South Africa's unemployment rate.

Useful reading on this topic:

• Four ways disinformation about migration is circulating in South Africa
• FACT-CHECK: Did Ghana decline state visit by South African president over xenophobia?
• How to ‘pre-bunk’ a state of the nation address (and almost anything else)

As false claims, AI-generated images and fake notices spread during migration-related tensions in South Africa, Africa Check has been working to verify the facts and provide trusted information. 

If this work matters to you, please support it with a donation today.

Your contribution helps us continue producing independent fact-checks that keep facts ahead of fear.

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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. 

Kenya 🇰🇪

FALSE: No, Kenyan politician Gideon Moi didn’t endorse Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna for president. The viral quote is fabricated.

SCAM: Three Facebook pages claim to offer Kenyans motorbikes on credit at attractive rates. Don't be duped into paying any money - they are all scams.

FAKE: Disregard this fake Kenyans.co.ke graphic falsely attributing Mt Kenya MP rankings to pollster InfoTrak.

FAKE: A letter claiming to show Kenya’s Democracy for Citizens Party replacing Rigathi Gachagua as its leader is fake.

FAKE: A circular shared on Facebook claims Kenya’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission rejected career progression guidelines for public school teachers. But both the SRC and the country’s Teachers Service Commission say the document is fake.

Nigeria 🇳🇬

FALSE: A viral video claimed to show recent flooding in Lekki, Lagos state. But the footage was originally published by a Bangladeshi news outlet and shows flooding in Dhaka, the capital of the South Asian country. 

FALSE: An online photo supposedly shows Nigerian students who won gold medals at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad celebrating with the Biafran flag. But it was digitally altered – the original shows them holding the Nigerian flag.

FALSE: Posts claiming Nigeria's national theatre was engulfed in flames use footage created with visual effects for a film. There have been no reports of a fire at the theatre. 

MISLEADING: A viral video does not show residents in Lagos, Nigeria, looting goods swept away by floods. It was filmed in Accra, Ghana, after flooding in late June 2026.

MISLEADING: A much-shared video of Nigeria's president reciting the old national anthem is from 2023, not a 2026 federal executive committee meeting.

MISLEADING: Posts claim a video shows Nigerian police greeting armed bandits at a checkpoint in Katsina state. Police say the men are registered local groups supporting security operations, and there is no evidence they are bandits.

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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).