Political analyst Dr Ralph Mathekga says conspiracy theories start with an element of truth, but it is stretched to provide an explanation of an event that is implausible.
Mathekga was speaking to Radio Islam on Wednesday about COVID-19 and the global spread of the pandemic which has resulted in a flood of conspiracy theories, fake news and even propaganda, which all erode the trust of people in its leaders and undermine the medical profession and scientists.
One theory that has gain traction is that the virus is designed to give governments all over the world control over their people.
More importantly, it is believed that the virus is tailored to fit the dynamics of each country.
Mathekga says with the proliferation of social media, more people are exposed to conspiracy theories and fake news.
“The availability of social media platforms is what makes this thing to proliferate more. I think that as to the human curiosity about conspiracy, it’s the humankind to keep on saying ‘the simplest and most easiest explanation is not that is not the one that is easily acceptable. We will want to find a much, much deeper explanation.’”
Mathekha however says there are concerns in civil society about impediments on the civil liberties of citizens.
“The truth is that indeed, most of the states have used the crisis to extend executive authority to become more authoritarian. But it’s not necessarily because the virus was created for that. It’s just an opportunity that exists and it shows the weakness of our political leadership across the world. It’s not purely a South African phenomenon.”
Mathekha says the media and NGO’s have an important role to play to dismantle the Coronavirus surveillance regime that will mostly likely remain with us and harm our democracies.
Faizel Patel
Listen to the interview with Ralph Mathekga
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