This photo shared on Facebook supposedly of South African women holding a bra protest against xenophobic attacks is FALSE.
The image shows a crowd participating in what appears to be a public demonstration, with people expressing strong emotions through chanting and raised arms. A South African flag and police presence are visible.
“Xenophobia: South African Ladies Protest Without Tops To Protect Nigerian, Zimbabwean Husbands
South African Zulu ladies took to the streets in Bra, without tops, to protest the Xenophobic attack and exit enforcement on their husbands from Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The South African ladies, in their protest, declared that their Nigerian and Zimbabwean husband cannot go anywhere. They shouted it loud that they don’t want to loose their husbands because of Xenophobic attack on immigrants by South African youths and young men,” reads the post.
South Africa is experiencing growing tensions over immigration as anti-migrant groups push for a self-declared 30 June deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country. While the deadline has no legal status, it has fuelled public anxiety, protests, and increased security concerns, prompting government officials to condemn vigilantism and xenophobia.
But is the claim accurate?
A Google reverse image search shows that the photo used in the claim does not depict the alleged “bra protest” by South African women. The image actually originates from a 2022 AFP/Getty Images archive.
In reality, the picture shows members of the anti-immigrant movement Operation Dudula during a protest held in Johannesburg on 13 February 2022, where participants were demonstrating against migrant workers rather than women protesting in support of foreign husbands.
This claim has also been independently debunked by fact-checking organisations such as PesaCheck and AFP Fact Check, both of which confirm that the narrative attached to the image is false and misleading.
In addition, reporting by Daily Maverick, under the headline “Fed-up SA citizens take to the streets, blaming foreigners for crime and the unemployment crisis,” further confirms that the protest was part of anti-foreigner mobilisation, making the claim that the women were protesting in defence of foreign husbands false.
Lastly, there is no credible reporting or verified news coverage supporting the existence of any protest matching the description of a “bra protest” by women defending Nigerian and Zimbabwean spouses.
This fact-check was produced by Julia Lemekwane as part of the African Fact-Checking Alliance’s (AFCA)incubation programme. It was produced with peer-mentorship from Code for Africa’s fact-checking initiative, PesaCheck, with financial support from Norway. AFCA mentorship respects the journalistic independence of the researchers, offering access to advanced techniques and tools. Editorial decision-making remains with Julia Lemekwane. Want to learn more? Visit: https://factcheck.africa/