South African Electoral Commission warns of AI-generated election disinformation after Mandela deepfake
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has issued a warning to voters regarding AI-generated election disinformation, following a deepfake video depicting former President Nelson Mandela. The video reportedly shows Mandela urging citizens to stop voting for the ANC, alleging corruption and pension fund theft. The IEC lodged a complaint about the video with Real411, a platform for reporting election-related disinformation, and expressed concerns about its potential to mislead voters, especially after an elderly woman reportedly believed the video was real.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has cautioned the public about AI-generated content ahead of local government elections, specifically addressing a deepfake video featuring former President Nelson Mandela. The video reportedly shows Mandela explicitly telling citizens to "stop voting for the ANC; they have failed you. They are corrupt," and includes allegations of the ANC stealing pension funds. The IEC confirmed it reported the deepfake video to Real411, a platform established for reporting suspected election-related disinformation. The commission noted that an elderly woman reportedly believed the AI-generated video was real after her grandchild showed it to her, leading her to state she would not vote for the ANC. While some social media users found the video amusing, others, including the IEC, voiced concerns. The IEC emphasized its responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure voters make informed choices based on credible information, operating under the Disinformation Code implemented on September 4, 2026.