{
  "id": 17779221,
  "title": "DIGITAL POLITICS OP-ED: The anti-foreigner movement squares up to the state in run-up to elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/digital-politics-op-ed-the-anti-foreigner-movement-squares-up-to-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T10:24:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-11-02-the-anti-foreigner-movement-squares-up-to-the-state-in-run-up-to-elections/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the 4 November local elections loom, political factions escalate their attacks on the government and rivals. The anti-foreigner movement has regained prominence, targeting the state itself. The acting police minister sought to prevent a protest in Durban, while President Ramaphosa deployed soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal. Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma of the movement claimed the government was at war with its citizens, drawing comparisons to the Marikana massacre.\n\nPolitical conversation on X increased by nearly 25%, with the anti-foreigner movement dominating 43% of posts from just 25% of accounts. Their narratives centered on accusations that the state was silencing them, that the army protected foreigners at the expense of citizens, and that foreigners were taking state money and posing a security threat. Ngobese-Zuma's community was particularly active, posting 32% of all X posts from 17% of accounts and having the highest average engagement score.\n\nThe EFF, however, saw a decline in online discussion. Campaigners pushed back against the anti-foreigner movement's accusations, with EFF leader Julius Malema addressing rallies and condemning the alleged infiltration of their party.",
  "summary": "From xenophobic campaigning to farm attacks and coordinated influencer messaging, political factions sharpen their attacks on the government and rivals before the 4 November local elections.",
  "key_points": [
    "Anti-foreigner movement gains prominence ahead of 4 November elections",
    "Acting police minister attempts to prevent protest in Durban",
    "President Ramaphosa deploys soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}