By Yacoob Cassim
President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly denied claims that the African National Congress (ANC) uses asylum seekers to gain votes in local government elections. Speaking during the Black Wednesday Commemoration, Ramaphosa dismissed the viral claims as fake news. He also warned the public about the growing dangers of online disinformation.
Dismissing Election Fake News
Addressing journalists and media editors, President Ramaphosa directly confronted social media posts that claimed foreign nationals were registering to vote for the ruling party.
“There’s just no way that the ANC would get asylum seekers to vote for it. There’s just no way. It’s a rubbish story. It does not exist,” Ramaphosa stated. “It shows the dangers of these social media platforms. An unverified individual plants a story, and it quickly spreads.”
Preparing South Africa for AGOA Risks
Beyond local election security, President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to prepare for possible exclusion from the United States’ duty-free trade programme, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
While the US Congress voted to renew AGOA through 2028, South Africa’s eligibility faces scrutiny from US President Donald Trump’s administration:
- Executive Approval: AGOA renewal awaits executive signing, while diplomatic friction between Washington and Pretoria grows.
- Diplomatic Strain: Bilateral ties deteriorated after US visa restrictions and ongoing disputes over South Africa’s constitutional land reform policies.
- National Resilience: Ramaphosa noted that South Africa would not be the first or last country to face removal if Washington changes its policy.
Countering Disinformation at Home and Abroad
The President’s warnings come as fake news threatens both domestic governance and international relations. South African officials continue to defend the nation’s right to non-violent land reform while countering false narratives about election integrity and rural safety.
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