False claims circulating on social media about anti-migrant protests creating 15,000 jobs at supermarket chain Spar are being debunked by fact-checkers. Africa Check has warned that a surge of misinformation related to migration is fueling tensions and potentially endangering lives.
The Spar job claim originated from an activist who alleged that thousands of positions became available after undocumented migrants left the country, citing Spar as an example. However, Africa Check found no supporting evidence. Spar confirmed that its hiring practices are impartial and do not consider applicant nationality, with vacancies advertised through official channels. At the time of investigation, Spar’s online recruitment portal listed fewer than 15 vacancies.
In addition to the Spar claim, several other viral narratives linked to the protests have been disproven. These include the reuse of old videos presented as recent migrant attacks, footage from the 2021 KwaZulu-Natal unrest being misrepresented as recent looting, and fake notices attributed to the South African Police Service and the department of home affairs.
One doctored video falsely suggested a business owner intended to relocate her factory to Mozambique due to South Africans’ rudeness. Africa Check determined this video was manipulated using artificial intelligence, with the original interview conducted by DW Africa.
Fact-checkers are urging the public to verify information before sharing, emphasizing that false narratives surrounding migration can escalate hostility and contribute to violence.
Reference