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Watch – Manufactured praise: The strange campaign around Senzo Mchunu

Senior journalist Rebecca Davis highlights a disturbing trend on South African social media: fake accounts, copy-paste tweets, and manufactured praise for politicians. From the ANC to ActionSA, online manipulation is simulating public support and it’s already impacting political discourse. With the 2026 elections around the corner, this could be a threat to democracy.
Rebecca Davis
Youtube Thumbnail MASTER Illustrative image: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. (Photo: Gallo Images / Volksblad / Mlungisi Louw) | Maverick Studios

 

Reporting by: Rebecca Davis
Edited by: Rufaro Chiswo
Animation by: Rufaro Chiswo
Produced by: Emilie Gambade
Filmed by: Bernard Kotze & Joel Seboa
Sub-edited by: Mike van Olst

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