Ramaphosa says South Africa may need to restrict social media
Speaking to journalists and editors on Monday, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa pointed to dangerous misinformation online. He noted that the UK and Australia are limiting children's access, and said South Africa has not yet seriously considered such steps.
Ramaphosa spoke at the Black Wednesday commemoration. He said social media was used to foment violence in the July 2021 unrest, which left more than 350 people dead. He said the unrest also caused billions of rand in economic damage.
He said the country had not reached the point of restrictions. In his words: "We have not reached that level, and I guess our glass ceiling is caused by our adherence to media freedom".
Ramaphosa also called a social media story that the ANC was mobilising asylum seekers to vote for the party rubbish. He defended the ANC's decision not to announce mayoral candidates before local elections as a tried and tested approach.
He said the removal of South Africa from the FATF greylist boosted investment and made debt cheaper. He also said removal from AGOA would be devastating for jobs, and that the government will engage the US on sanctions against certain ANC leaders.
Key facts
- Who
- Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa and ANC president); African National Congress (ruling party; Ramaphosa speaks in his capacity as its president)
- What
- Speaking to journalists and editors on Monday as ANC president at the Black Wednesday commemoration, Ramaphosa said the country had not yet seriously considered restricting social media, while noting moves by the UK and Australia to restrict children's access, and defended the government's record and the ANC's approach to mayoral candidates.
- When
- 19 October 2026
- Where
- South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia
- Status
- Reported