Durban: A viral video purporting to show recent lootings in Durban is misleading, as it actually uses footage from 2021. The video, which has been circulated widely on social media, is being used to promote racist and conspiratorial narratives that falsely attribute the supposed chaos to the end of apartheid and the influence of certain NGOs.
According to Deutsche Welle, the video was posted by Alex Jones, a US-based far-right radio host known for spreading conspiracy theories. In his post, Jones claims the video is evidence of the consequences of removing "White Oppression" in favor of systems supported by NGOs like those funded by George Soros. The post had garnered 1.6 million views at the time of publication.
The footage has been repeatedly shared across various social media platforms since 2021, often linked with similar misleading claims. Dhanaraj Thakur, a researcher at the Center for Democracy and Technology, suggests this is part of a larger campaign involving multiple actors sharing such narratives to create misunderstandings and promote racist ideologies. The claim falsely suggests that the alleged lootings are a direct result of post-apartheid governance, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and racist narratives about South Africa.
The spread of such disinformation is not limited to this instance. Figures like former US President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk have amplified similar narratives. Trump previously claimed a genocide against white farmers in South Africa, a statement debunked by fact-checkers. Musk echoed these claims, appealing to audiences predisposed to believe negative narratives about Africa.
Fact-checking organizations like AfricaCheck have also reported instances of footage being taken out of context to misrepresent situations in South Africa. Keegan Leech, a fact-checker at Africa Check, notes that it's easy to misrepresent the country due to a general lack of knowledge among international audiences.
The portrayal of Durban as a cautionary tale for Western nations feeds into existing societal fears, particularly around immigration and governance by certain groups. Thakur points out that such narratives exploit economic uncertainties to sow discord.
The video also taps into conspiracy theories involving NGOs and George Soros, a frequent target in right-wing narratives. Thakur highlights that Soros has become a symbol in these global conspiracies, representing supposed threats to certain worldviews.
Despite the video's intent to spread falsehoods and fuel divisive narratives, there has been significant pushback from both South Africans and international observers attempting to correct the misinformation. Juliet Nanfuka from the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa notes the importance of challenging these narratives, even as they continue to target various countries and communities.