JOHANNESBURG - The Weather Service is warning about a fake weather alert circulating on social media.
It claims the country will experience extreme cold until August.
The message refers to the ‘Aphelion phenomenon’, a term widely misunderstood.
The service forecasts a warmer winter this year.
Lehlohonolo Thobela from the Weather Service said what drives our seasons is the Earth's tilt.
"Once it turns towards the sun or away from the sun is what actually drives our seasons," he said.
"What we're expecting is a mild winter. We're expecting temperatures to remain above normal, which you'll get in winter."