A viral video falsely claiming ongoing lootings in Durban misleads viewers with 2021 footage. We verify the facts and expose the underlying misinformation and racist narratives.
Durban has recently found itself at the center of online controversy after a video claiming to show ongoing lootings in the city went viral on various social media platforms. This footage, accompanied by alarming captions blaming the situation on the end of apartheid and the alleged influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has sparked heated debates globally. However, a thorough fact-check reveals that the video is deeply misleading, repurposing old footage from 2021 and promoting conspiracy-laden and racially charged narratives. As reported in a BBC News investigation, the scenes being circulated do not depict recent events.
Origin of the Viral Durban Video
The video in question shows people looting shops, vehicles ablaze, and chaos erupting in the streets of what is identified as Durban. It is often accompanied by captions suggesting that these are the consequences of policies implemented post-apartheid and that NGOs have somehow played a role in inciting the unrest. However, this is not only factually incorrect but dangerously misleading.
The video first appeared in July 2021 during a wave of civil unrest in Durban and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. These riots were triggered by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. At the time, widespread looting and violence did indeed take place, and media coverage was extensive. The current viral video is a simple repackaging of this old footage, stripped of context and rebranded with a conspiratorial message.
Why This Matters: Disinformation and Racist Undertones
The false narrative being pushed by the video is not accidental. The claim that the unrest is a direct result of the end of apartheid implies that the post-apartheid political order has led to chaos—an argument often used by those promoting white nationalist ideologies. Additionally, blaming NGOs, many of which operate to support human rights and economic development in Durban and beyond, feeds into global anti-progressive and anti-democratic conspiracy theories.
This form of misinformation does more than just confuse audiences—it fosters division, racial animosity, and mistrust in institutions. It paints Durban as lawless and ungovernable, ignoring both the city’s progress and the context of the actual events in 2021.
Durban in 2021 vs. Durban Today
To be clear, Durban did face real challenges in July 2021, including violent protests, loss of life, and economic damage. However, as of 2025, the city is not experiencing widespread looting. Law enforcement, municipal officials, and community organizations have worked collectively to stabilize the region. Current crime rates, while not negligible, do not reflect the kind of disorder shown in the viral video.
Moreover, Durban continues to serve as a critical economic hub in South Africa, with the Port of Durban playing a vital role in national and regional trade. Portraying the city as a hotbed of ongoing chaos undermines the resilience and progress of its residents.
How Misinformation Spreads
This is not the first time outdated or unrelated footage has been recirculated as current news. Social media platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook are often breeding grounds for viral misinformation. Videos like the one from Durban gain traction because they play into preconceived biases and emotionally charged narratives.
Digital forensic teams, including those at Africa Check and BBC Verify, have confirmed that the metadata from the video matches content originally published in mid-July 2021. Background elements, such as billboard advertisements and license plates, further confirm the temporal origin of the footage.
Political Agendas Behind the Video
The resurgence of this Durban video is not happening in a vacuum. Analysts suggest that there are deliberate political motives behind the resurfacing of such content. With elections looming in several African countries and increasing global tensions over migration and economic development, some groups are exploiting social unrest imagery to push xenophobic or isolationist agendas.
By using Durban as a visual symbol of post-apartheid failure, these narratives aim to delegitimize progress made under democratic governance. In reality, South Africa remains a complex but evolving democracy facing challenges not unlike those experienced by many countries worldwide.
The Role of NGOs in Durban
Another major falsehood promoted in the video is the idea that NGOs are behind the alleged unrest in Durban. In fact, NGOs in South Africa are often critical players in delivering healthcare, education, food security, and anti-corruption measures. Their involvement in communities is far more constructive than the video suggests.
Accusing NGOs of orchestrating violence is a tactic often used in authoritarian environments to justify repression. There is zero evidence linking reputable NGOs to any form of incitement in Durban or elsewhere in the country.
Impact on Public Perception
When such misinformation circulates widely, it affects more than just the reputation of Durban. It influences investor confidence, travel decisions, and even internal policies. Countries that are repeatedly portrayed as unstable in global media often face economic disadvantages and diplomatic challenges.
Residents of Durban have expressed frustration over the portrayal of their city. Many have taken to social media to refute the claims, sharing live videos and images that show the city functioning normally. These grassroots counter-narratives are essential in combating disinformation and restoring the image of the city.
What Can Be Done?
There are several steps that need to be taken to prevent future instances of viral misinformation involving Durban or any other region:
- Education: Improve digital literacy among the public to help them critically assess viral content.
- Platform Accountability: Push social media companies to respond faster and more transparently when flagged content is proven to be false.
- Government Response: South African authorities, particularly in Durban, should invest in real-time communication strategies that counter disinformation quickly and effectively.
- Support Journalism: Encourage and fund independent journalism that performs rigorous fact-checking and field reporting.
Conclusion
The viral video claiming that Durban is currently experiencing looting driven by the end of apartheid and NGO interference is not only factually incorrect—it is a dangerous piece of disinformation. By recycling footage from 2021 and embedding it with racist and conspiratorial messages, its creators seek to distort reality for political or ideological gain.
Durban, like many global cities, has faced its share of challenges. But the story of Durban is one of resilience, recovery, and progress—not collapse. It is vital that media consumers remain vigilant, fact-check information, and resist the spread of false narratives that threaten to divide rather than inform.
Let the truth about Durban be driven not by viral sensationalism, but by verified facts and responsible journalism.
