DIGITAL POLITICS OP-ED: Borders, ballots, court clashes — how the anti-immigrant movement is setting SA’s elections agenda

The anti-immigrant movement regained dominance in South Africa’s online political conversation before the 4 November local elections, driven by the government’s asylum policy reversal and controversy surrounding activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court’s decision to reinstate ANC candidates intensified political disputes, while suspected undisclosed paid campaigns increasingly targeted individual politicians rather than just state entities.