The same image circulated in July 2024, with similar claims of a “Somali investor walking the streets of South Africa with a machine gun.”
Somalia, not South Africa
A reverse image search revealed that the photo was originally posted to the Facebook account of Somalia-based television channel M24 Somali in January 2023 (archived here).
It shared as part of a report that there had been tensions in Las Anod (also known as Laascaanood), a town in a disputed region in semi-independent Somaliland.
An AFP journalist in Somalia confirmed it was Las Anod because he recognized the tall building in the background.
The reporter said the photo was likely taken during the early days of fighting between Somaliland government forces and local clan militias.
He added that the man in the photo appeared to be a member of the local militia.
As reported by AFP, Somaliland – which has claimed independence from Somalia since 1991 but has never been internationally recognized – was until recently seen as a beacon of stability in a chaotic region (archived here).
However, political tensions increased, leading to deadly and sustained violence between Somaliland’s armed forces and militias loyal to Somalia.
Located along a major trade route, Las Anod is claimed by both Somaliland and neighboring Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in northeastern Somalia.
A Puntland resident, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, sent AFP a video and photos of the same street as evidence in July 2024.
The tall yellow building seen in both the photo with the coat of arms and the July photos is the Waafi Hotel in Las Anod.
Other matching clues confirming the location include the distinct hole pattern in the wall of Hotel Dhif – a nearby building on the left, the large tree and a tall pole in front of the Waafi Hotel.
South African authorities urged social media users to “refrain from spreading false information as this could sow panic in the community and cause unnecessary tension” (archived here).
[FAKE NEWS] The @SAPoliceService Management in Gauteng has noted with great concern the image of a man, armed with a rifle and ammunition, making the rounds on social media claiming he is a stranger, walking the streets of Naledi in Soweto.
Soweto, specifically… pic.twitter.com/7VwCU46jHx
— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@RSA_JCPS) October 11, 2024
“Soweto, and in particular Naledi Police Station, has had high police visibility since the beginning of the week. Patrols in the area have been intensified and it is unlikely that a person carrying such a weapon could walk through the streets without being noticed by the police and the community,” said the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Unit country in a statement on the country’s website. X post on October 11, 2024.
Anti-immigrant sentiment
Despite having one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, South Africa attracts many economic migrants from elsewhere on the continent (archived here).
The influx, coupled with a bleak economic outlook, has led to sporadic outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence in recent years (archived here).
