Deepfake Crisis
“The question is no longer whether deepfakes will affect South Africa, but how well we are prepared to deal with them.”
— Boland Lithebe, Accenture Africa Security Lead
This stark warning from Boland Lithebe comes at a critical time for South Africa, as the country enters a period of staggered municipal by-elections. The rise of deepfake technology presents a chilling new frontier in the fight against cybercrime and disinformation.
A Powerful Tool in the Wrong Hands
Deepfakes use artificial intelligence (AI) to create hyper-realistic but entirely fake videos, images, and audio recordings. What began as a playful experiment in Hollywood has since evolved into a powerful weapon for cybercriminals and bad actors.
“It’s worryingly simple to weaponise deepfakes,” says Lithebe. “They can be used to manipulate voter sentiment, spread false narratives, or discredit public figures—all with devastating consequences.”
In a country like South Africa, where political tensions run high and over 70% of the population is online, the risks are enormous. “The potential for chaos is high if fake videos of political leaders making inflammatory remarks or false policy announcements go viral,” Lithebe warns.
Real Risks, Real Consequences
The damage caused by deepfakes isn’t limited to politics. Criminals are increasingly using deepfakes to impersonate corporate executives, approve fraudulent transactions, and mislead investors.
“Imagine waking up to a video of the President announcing a national emergency that never happened,” says Lithebe. “Or a CEO admitting to fraud. In today’s digital world, such scenarios are increasingly possible.”
Even when these deepfakes are exposed as fake, the damage—be it reputational, political, or financial—is often already done.
Case in Point: The Banxso Scandal
In late 2024, deepfakes entered South Africa’s financial spotlight when the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) provisionally withdrew Banxso’s licence to operate. The decision followed reports that deepfake advertisements—featuring public figures like Elon Musk, Johann Rupert, and Nicky Oppenheimer—were used to promote fraudulent investment schemes.
These ads promised returns of up to R300,000 a month from an initial investment of just R4,700. Banxso claimed to be the victim of a cyberattack and denied any involvement. However, several investors who responded to the ads reported losing millions of rands.
The FSCA froze Banxso’s bank accounts under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act and launched a formal investigation. A liquidation application was subsequently brought against the company in the Western Cape High Court.
The Urgent Need for Preparedness
As local government elections approach, Lithebe emphasises the urgency of dealing with this emerging threat.
“Deepfakes are being weaponised to distort reality,” he says. “A convincing fake video of a bank CEO announcing financial trouble could trigger public panic. A fabricated recording of a celebrity making offensive remarks could spark social outrage.”
To defend against such threats, South Africa must take proactive steps:
- Adopt AI-powered verification tools to detect manipulated media.
- Educate the public on how to identify fake content through awareness campaigns in schools, businesses, and government departments.
- Update legislation to include specific provisions for deepfake-related crimes and hold offenders accountable.
- Hold social media platforms responsible for detecting and removing deepfakes quickly and transparently.
A National Security Imperative
Lithebe concludes with a call to action for South African leaders and citizens alike:
“Deepfakes are not just a technological novelty – they are a real and growing threat to South Africa’s digital security. Business leaders, policymakers, and the public must act now to strengthen our defences. The time to prepare is before – not after – the first major deepfake crisis hits.”