Fake Video: Zindzi Mandela’s Funeral

Suzy Woltmann

News

1st August 2020

Mandela died on July 13, 2020 (Getty Images).

The Claim

The viral video below shows mourners ignoring COVID-19 regulations at the funeral of Zindzi Mandela.

News posted on

Emerging story

In late July 2020, a video began circulating that purported to depict mourners at the funeral of Zindzi Mandela, daughter of Nelson Mandela. The video shows people ignoring COVID-19 social-distancing regulations.

Misbar’s Analysis

Zindzi Mandela, a South African diplomat, poet, and activist, died on July 13, 2020 after she tested positive for COVID-19. She was the youngest of Nelson Mandela’s three daughters.

Misbar’s investigation found that the video claiming to depict Mandela’s funeral is false. She was buried in a private ceremony on July 17, 2020. The funeral had less than 50 attendees, as mandated by current COVID-19 regulations. The live broadcast of the ceremony, below, depicts a much different scene than that in the viral video.

Attendees at the funeral shown in the viral video are now under investigation by the South African Police Service. In a statement, they said: "A number of other video clips related to the same funeral service are circulating on social media and these also confirm that the number of mourners in attendance was by far in excess of the regulated limit of 50 people.”