City Officials Deny Connection to Fake Social Media Post

The City of Ekurhuleni has issued a firm warning against a falsified social media post circulating online that purports to represent the municipality’s official position. The fabricated tweet, which appears to comment on matters related to the Madlanga Commission, was digitally altered to mimic communication from the City’s verified accounts.

In an official statement released yesterday, municipal officials emphasized that they had not issued any such commentary through social media channels. The City clarified that all engagement with the Madlanga Commission would occur exclusively through formal, established protocols.

“The City remains fully committed to cooperating with the Madlanga Commission and will respond to any matters or allegations directly through the Commission’s official processes – not via social media,” the statement explained, highlighting the municipality’s commitment to proper procedural channels.

This incident comes amid increasing concerns about digital misinformation across South Africa’s municipal landscape. Digitally manipulated content impersonating government entities has become a growing challenge for public institutions, often leading to confusion among residents and undermining trust in official communications.

The Madlanga Commission, established to investigate specific governance matters in the region, has drawn significant public attention in recent months. The circulation of false information regarding the City’s stance on commission-related issues could potentially interfere with the integrity of ongoing investigations and mislead residents about municipal positions.

Communications experts note that such incidents highlight vulnerabilities in public information ecosystems. The increasing sophistication of digital manipulation tools has made it easier for misleading content to appear authentic, particularly when mimicking official government accounts.

The City has urged residents to exercise caution when encountering purported municipal announcements online and to verify information through official channels before sharing. Municipal officials provided specific guidance on identifying legitimate communications, noting that official statements are only issued through verified platforms, including their official X (formerly Twitter) account @City_Ekurhuleni and the municipal website at www.ekurhuleni.gov.za.

Ekurhuleni, one of Gauteng province’s major metropolitan municipalities with a population exceeding 3.5 million, has been working to strengthen its digital communication strategies in recent months. Earlier this year, the municipality hosted a social media masterclass aimed at empowering local artists and improving authentic community engagement through digital platforms.

The incident underscores broader challenges faced by South African municipalities in maintaining information integrity in the digital age. As social media platforms continue to serve as primary information sources for many citizens, distinguishing between authentic government communications and manipulated content has become increasingly difficult.

Cybersecurity analysts recommend that residents employ basic verification techniques when encountering municipal announcements online, including checking for official verification badges, cross-referencing information across multiple official sources, and being particularly cautious about emotionally charged or surprising pronouncements.

Municipal officials have appealed to residents to refrain from sharing unverified content that could potentially mislead others or erode public trust in official communications. The City emphasized that maintaining transparent and accurate information channels remains essential for effective governance and public service delivery.

The municipality has not indicated whether it plans to pursue action against those responsible for creating and distributing the falsified content.