Combating Disinformation to Protect Democratic Integrity

South African Democracy Under Threat: Combating Disinformation Ahead of 2026 Local Elections

As South Africa approaches the 2026 Local Government Elections, concerns are mounting about the impact of disinformation on the democratic process. The ballot box, a powerful symbol of South Africa’s hard-won democracy, now faces a digital-age threat that could undermine citizens’ ability to make informed electoral choices.

Disinformation—deliberately false or misleading information designed to deceive—has evolved from traditional propaganda techniques into a sophisticated digital phenomenon. Modern technologies, particularly AI-driven tools, have enhanced the creation and distribution of deepfakes, fabricated narratives, and computational propaganda at unprecedented scales.

For South African communities, the consequences are particularly concerning. False information targeting municipal, provincial, and national governance erodes public trust in institutions and can inflame existing social tensions. As the local elections approach, experts anticipate hyper-localized disinformation campaigns that exploit community pressure points like service-delivery challenges or political uncertainties.

“The speed at which false narratives can spread via community WhatsApp groups and neighborhood networks makes them especially difficult to counter,” notes one electoral integrity expert. Many citizens struggle to distinguish between credible news and manipulated content on popular platforms like X, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube.

Recognizing these escalating threats, key stakeholders gathered in Cape Town on February 18, 2026, for the “Countering Disinformation, Safeguarding Local Democracy” dialogue. The event, hosted by the Delegation of the European Union to South Africa in partnership with the Embassies of Lithuania and Poland, the Delegation of Flanders, and the Institute of Security Studies, brought together international experts, government representatives, electoral officials, civil society, and media professionals to develop coordinated responses.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has responded with several innovative approaches. Among these is the establishment of Rapid-Response Pathways that connect community radio stations and youth networks with fact-checking partners to swiftly correct local misinformation. The Commission has also prioritized transparency in its technical operations, ensuring that voter management devices and results systems undergo independent testing visible to the public.

“We’re implementing what we call a ‘News Sausage’ approach,” explained an IEC representative. “This encourages media houses to demonstrate openly how election results are verified and audited, helping to prevent conspiracy theories from taking root.” The Commission has also enhanced its digital outreach through an improved WhatsApp service and a dedicated podcast platform targeting younger voters.

The South African government has strengthened its information integrity efforts by proactively debunking false narratives, investing in media literacy initiatives, and directing citizens to reliable information sources, including government websites like sanews.gov.za and established media outlets.

Policy developments are also addressing the challenge. The White Paper on Communications and Digital Technologies includes proposals to combat online harms, with provisions for platform accountability and accelerated detection and removal of false content. Partnerships with organizations such as Moxii (formerly Media Monitoring Africa) and Real411 have expanded monitoring capabilities and rapid response systems.

Legal frameworks provide additional safeguards. The Cybercrimes Act and Electoral Code of Conduct establish clear consequences for those who intentionally spread harmful digital disinformation, particularly during electoral periods.

Digital access to accurate information remains a priority. Zero-rated portals allowing voters to verify information without data costs form part of what officials describe as a “Democracy Shield”—a multi-layered defense system protecting electoral integrity.

Experts emphasize that protecting South Africa’s democracy requires a whole-of-society approach involving government, electoral bodies, technology companies, civil society, community media, and citizens themselves. Public engagement, transparent communication, and coordinated action are essential components of an effective response.

As South Africa prepares for these critical local elections, the message from democracy advocates is resolute: defending the ballot means defending the truth. The information environment surrounding elections is now recognized as vital democratic infrastructure requiring the same protection and investment as physical voting systems.

The outcome of this battle against disinformation will shape not just the 2026 elections, but the future health of South Africa’s democratic institutions.