Minister Pieter Groenewald faces questions over coordinated social media praise from anonymous accounts. He denies any role and insists the backing is genuine.
South African Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald has become the focus of online posts calling him a potential president. Accounts such as @ChrisExcel102 on X began promoting “Lord Pieter Groenewald” in June 2025, with one post reaching nearly half a million views.
Groenewald, 70 and a former Freedom Front Plus leader, has rejected any involvement. His office stated that positive endorsements started appearing from December 2025 and described the support as organic. The minister has previously sought legal action against negative content.
Similar material appears on TikTok, including a playlist titled “Dr Groenewald 4 President.” Researchers note that some accounts promoting these messages have switched political allegiances rapidly in the past, raising questions about paid influence campaigns ahead of the November 4 local elections.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa is preparing social media rules but says it cannot act as a digital enforcer. Chairperson Mosotho Moepya warned that young voters face a “hurricane of disinformation.”
