The African National Congress (ANC) has warned South Africans about a fraudulent message circulating online, falsely claiming that the party is offering an instant R300 cash giveaway as part of its 2026 election campaign.
In a statement issued on Monday, 26 October 2026, the ANC confirmed that it had not authorised or launched any such giveaway and urged members of the public to remain vigilant.
The party warned people not to click on links accompanying the fraudulent message, respond to it or share it with others.
Members of the public have also been advised not to provide personal information, including identity numbers, banking details, passwords or one-time PINs.
The ANC further cautioned against making payments or paying supposed processing fees to claim the advertised R300.
Anyone who has already clicked on the link or provided personal or banking information has been urged to contact their bank immediately, monitor their accounts for suspicious transactions and change any compromised passwords.
The party warned that the scam could result in financial losses, identity theft and the misuse of personal information.
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu condemned the misuse of the party’s name to deceive members of the public.
Residents are encouraged to verify information through official ANC communication platforms and report suspicious messages, fake accounts and fraudulent links to the relevant authorities.
The ANC has also advised people not to forward the fraudulent offer, even when attempting to warn others.
