FACT SHIELD: Key Lessons From Repeated Disinformation Targeting Former South African Leader, Mbeki

On January 3, 2024, as individuals and families on the African continent were sharing “happy new year” messages, the disinformation machine went into overdrive. The target of the disinformation was former South African President Thabo Mbeki. The false claim that flooded social media was that Mbeki, who succeeded anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, had died. This claim initially surfaced on TikTok, where a user shared it. The now-deleted post was shared over a thousand times across various platforms, with the claim that the “former South African president dies at 74.” Within a few hours, the news was swiftly disseminated through the South African and international media spaces. Several senior journalists from reputable media houses also found themselves joining the frenzy, sharing the claim with followers who, vouching for the credibility of such media professionals, also pushed the offensive content across cyberspace.

CDD War Room recalls that Mbeki, renowned for his pro-democracy credentials, served as the deputy president to freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. He secured the popular vote in the South African presidential election in 1999, becoming the second post-apartheid leader of the “rainbow nation” of South Africa. His presidency was characterised by macroeconomic reforms and sustained economic growth. Thabo delivered the legendary “I am an African speech,” showcasing his political oratory akin to that of Martin Luther King Jr. 

Shortly after the fake news of his demise circulated, an alternative report emerged. The Thabo Mbeki Foundation released a statement that debunked the death rumours; the South African icon, the foundation stressed, was alive and well. It therefore urged the general public to exercise “caution when engaging with online information at a time when misinformation can easily spread rapidly.”

The CDD War Room also found that the January 3 fake news blitz concerning the elder statesman was not the first; in 2016, Ghana’s Broadcasting Corporation erroneously reported his death after lifting information from a now-defunct satirical website. In 2021, similar rumours regarding his death from COVID-19 complications surfaced, prompting the Thabo Foundation to debunk the claims.

The toll of constantly witnessing erroneous reports of one’s passing globally is undoubtedly distressing. On January 10, 2024, seven days after the initial reports, the 81-year-old Thabo was seen at the funeral service of Peter Magubane.

Responding to health inquiries, he said, “I am very well. Thank you. That story originated from somebody in Ghana in 2016, and they keep popping it up every year. I don’t know what the intention is; we have told the Ghanaian government that they must attend to it. It is a silly story, but as you can see, I am alive and well, and a happy new year to everyone.”

Identifying the menace of information disorder across social media and how users can mitigate the spread

What the fake news on Mbeki shows is the fact that not everything that circulates on social media at a frenzied pace is true or authentic. Misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation are all consequences of a disorder in the information system—an anomaly in the ecosystem. “False information packaged as the truth” is a consistent feature of all three. Disinformation, however, involves a deliberate intention to deceive. Experts have identified social media as a primary driver of disinformation. But there are ways to avoid getting caught in the embarrassing act of spreading fake news, wittingly or unwittingly.

How then can social media users avoid falling prey to the allure of fake news?

1. Verify the news piece that catches your attention before resharing it on social media. Wait, and ask: Has this been reshared by multiple credible news agencies? Even if shared by a credible source, how many credible sources are sharing it? While the lure of breaking news may be exciting, it is important to wait and substantiate that it has been reported across more than one credible news agency. It’s worth noting that even news agencies are susceptible to errors stemming from impatience or eagerness to break the news. An example is the incident involving the Ghana News Corporation in 2016, which first reported the untrue story of Mbeki’s demise. They admitted, in an apology statement released afterward, that they had not thoroughly read the content of the piece from which they extracted false news.
2. Double-check the source of the news. Some particular social media handles are known to stoke the fire of mischief; you can identify this from their engagement and the pattern of news content they share. Be wary and, like the Thabo Foundation said, “cautious” of whatever information emanates from said source. 
3. Be critical when engaging with information. When you come across news, ask the fundamental question, “Is this true?” and seek answers before disseminating it.
4. Be conscious of bias. Some news reports may align with personal desires, whether subconscious or conscious. Self-awareness is essential when engaging with news, including differentiating between opinions and facts.