Africa Check

07/10/2026

🇳🇬 How accurate were president Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day claims about Nigeria’s economy?

In his 1 October 2026 national address, Tinubu pointed to economic growth, falling inflation, rising foreign reserves and investment as signs of progress.

But do the numbers support those claims?

Africa Check examined 9 claims on growth, oil theft, inflation, foreign reserves, foreign investment, pensions and more, using official statistics and other credible evidence.

Tinubu used the speech to make a case for re-election, with presidential polls just three months away. But did his claims all stack up?

06/10/2026

Would Eminem really tell South Africans who to vote for? 👀

As AI makes fake videos and endorsements harder to spot, it’s important to check where a political quote or endorsement really came from.

Before you believe or share it:
🔎 Check the person’s official accounts
🗞️ Find the original interview or source
⚠️ Be wary of unexpected endorsements

If you’re unsure, send it to Africa Check for verification.

Stay informed . 🗳️

05/10/2026

Can you spot paid political content?

Political parties and candidates can pay to put content in front of audiences online. Our latest tip shows you what to look out for – and why it matters to know who is behind the message.

There's more to come next week in our election media literacy series.

Want to share these tips in isiZulu or isiXhosa? The graphics are also available to download in both languages: https://africacheck.info/LGE_week_3

04/10/2026

🚨 Looking for a job? Don’t let a fake advert fool you.

Scammers often use the names of well-known companies to advertise fake jobs on social media. A recent scam falsely claimed Pick n Pay was hiring through an unverified email address.

READ MORE: https://africacheck.info/picknpay_job

✅ Before applying, always check the company’s official website or careers portal.

04/10/2026

🚰 No water. 💡 Broken streetlights. 🚧 Potholes. 🗑️ Uncollected rubbish.

These are everyday frustrations for many South Africans – and they're largely the responsibility of local municipalities.

That's why your vote in the 2026 local government elections matters.

Ahead of the final in-person voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August, our latest explainer breaks down what municipalities are responsible for, what they can and can't do and why understanding all this can help you make a more informed choice at the ballot box.

Read more: https://africacheck.info/LGE_municipality

Ahead of the final in-person voter registration weekend, we explain how local elections work and why your vote matters.

03/10/2026

🗳️ 7 political spin tricks to watch for before you vote

Big numbers. Bold promises. Dramatic claims of “turnarounds”. Politicians will say a lot to convince voters.

But a claim doesn’t have to be false to be misleading. Sometimes, the most important part is what you aren’t being told.

Ahead of South Africa’s 4 November 2026 local government elections, our guide looks at 7 political spin tactics to watch for when weighing up parties’ promises and records. https://africacheck.info/guide_political_spin

With parties campaigning, here are some of the tactics politicians use to make their promises and records sound better than they may be.

03/10/2026

🗳️ What is the DA promising ahead of South Africa’s 2026 local elections?

With voters heading to the polls on 4 November, we fact-checked 7 claims in the Democratic Alliance’s 2026 manifesto against the available evidence.

The claims cover:

⚡ rising electricity costs
🗑️ refuse collection
🚨 crime
💼 jobs
💧 access to free basic services

Our fact-check looks at what the manifesto says, what the available data shows, and where more context is needed.

https://africacheck.info/DA_manifesto_2026

For a broader comparison, see what the major parties are promising voters: https://africacheck.info/2026_manifesto_promises

South Africa’s second-largest political party is campaigning on a promise to get the country’s towns and cities “working for all”.

02/10/2026

🗳️ Everything you need to navigate South Africa’s 2026 local elections – in one place.

South Africa votes on 4 November, and with hundreds of political parties expected to contest across 257 municipalities, there’s a lot of information to keep track of.

Our Local Government Election Hub brings together Africa Check’s latest:
🔎 Fact-checks of election claims
📚 Explainers and factsheets
📊 Analyses of political promises
🤖 AI-generated content and misinformation tracking
⚠️ Emerging, active and declining disinformation narratives
✅ Tips to help you check before you share

From viral claims to AI-generated audio, videos and images, we’re tracking the information shaping the election conversation.

Before you vote. Before you share. Check the facts.

👉 Explore the hub: https://africacheck.info/LGE2026_hub

Seen an election claim that needs checking? Send it our way: https://africacheck.info/factcheck_this

South Africa votes in local government elections on 4 November 2026. Hundreds of political parties are expected to contest across 257 metro, district, and local municipalities. At the same time, digital manipulation and AI-generated content pose real threats to the information environment. This hub....

02/10/2026

🗳️ How accurate are the DA’s manifesto claims ahead of South Africa’s local elections?

On this week’s episode of Feite Eerste, Africa Check researcher Kirsten Cosser takes a closer look at seven claims in the Democratic Alliance’s 2026 election manifesto – from rising electricity prices and refuse collection to crime and jobs.

Why does this matter? Because voters need accurate information to assess how well parties understand the problems facing municipalities.

🎧 Listen to this week’s episode of Feite Eerste to hear what we found. Catch the next episode every Monday at 4pm on Radio Eersteriver or listen online and stay one step ahead of misinformation.

01/10/2026

Not everything needs a hot take. Some things need careful checking.

Subscribe to the Africa Check newsletter for trusted analysis, explainers and fact-checking insights — delivered to your inbox.

📧 Sign up: https://africacheck.info/newsletter_sign_up
Check out past editions: https://africacheck.org/newsletter