A viral claim circulating on South African social media in May 2026 alleged that the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) had arrested five foreign nationals found in possession of stolen traffic lights, locally known as robots.The posts suggested that the individuals were also facing charges related to infrastructure damage and illegal residency.

The claim spread widely across platforms such as Facebook and X, often accompanied by a short video showing a JMPD officer handling and discarding traffic lights.

However, the JMPD officially refuted these allegations, stating that no such arrests were made and that the narrative being shared was entirely false.According to the department, the video being circulated is not recent and actually dates back approximately two years.

It was taken during a routine operation in Johannesburg’s central business district where damaged traffic lights were being cleared and disposed of safely at a designated depot.The footage does not show any arrests, nor does it involve stolen property or foreign nationals.

Fact-checking organisation Africa Check further explained that this is an example of misinformation where old or out-of-context media is reused to support misleading and potentially xenophobic narratives.

The organisation highlighted that such content often spreads rapidly online, especially when it triggers emotional responses or confirms existing biases.

It also provided guidance for identifying disinformation, including checking official sources, verifying the origin of footage, and being cautious of sensational posts without credible reporting.

The incident underscores ongoing challenges with misinformation in South Africa’s digital space, particularly when false claims intersect with sensitive social issues such as migration and crime.