Labour law, not murder: David Coltart not guilty of defending Swango against serial killing charges
CLAIM: Do you know that a U.S. serial killer doctor was once exported to Zimbabwe, came here and killed a bunch of people? When he was caught, his lawyer to save him from the consequences of serial killing was David Coltart. Coltart earned about $2500 for his services. SOURCE: X VERDICT: Misleading The past does […]
The 33% ceiling: did Zimbabwe’s O’Level exams really never break it?
CLAIM: Zimbabwe has never had an O’Level pass rate above 33% SOURCE: Hopewell Chin’ono VERDICT: Inaccurate In a recent post, film maker, Hopewell Chin’ono, wrote, ‘If you know that Zimbabwe has never had an O’Level pass rate above 33% — and that at one point it dropped as low as 8% — and if you […]
Zimbabwe’s overweight population is heavier than cabinet claimed
CLAIM: 35% of adults aged 18 to 59 years are overweight and obese SOURCE: Post cabinet briefing VERDICT: Inaccurate, it is higher than that The World Health Organisation defines overweight as a condition of excessive fat deposits. Obesity, on the other hand, is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair […]
Holiday hype: no day off on September 15th – Munhumutapa Day not a public holiday
CLAIM: Please note that, Monday 15 September is NOT a holiday. SOURCE: Perm Sec Nick Mangwana VERDICT: True Holiday or no holiday? That is the question. Some Zimbabweans have been wondering and asking if Monday 15 September is a public holiday or not. September 15 is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s birthday. Permanent Secretary in the information […]
Car tint chaos: when officials can not see eye to eye
CLAIM: At the moment, we do not have any law banning tinted windows on vehicles SOURCE: Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi VERDICT: Misleading Zimbabweans woke up to an announcement from Permanent Secretary of Presidential Affairs and Devolution, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, this Tuesday during a Press conference that ‘We will not be allowing any commuter omnibus to have […]
The numbers don’t lie: a look at Zimbabwe’s teen pregnancy crisis
CLAIM: In Zimbabwe, teenage pregnancy has risen from 9% in 2016 to 23.6% in 2023, according to the United Nations. SOURCE: Hopewell Chin’ono on X VERDICT: True Journalist and documentary maker, Hopewell Chin’ono, recently commented on a viral video of a Namibian teacher talking about consent. Part of the caption read, ‘In Zimbabwe, teenage pregnancy […]
Flame sparks debate as 1996 movie clip resurfaces as “real” war footage
As Zimbabwe celebrated its Heroes and Defence Forces this week, there were a lot of pictures and videos from the Liberation war being shared on social media platforms. One of the posts on Facebook left people wondering if it was real. The video shows an aerial attack on a ground camp. The comments on that […]
Think the surviving spouse gets the house? Not always
CLAIM: The house belongs to the surviving spouse, according to local inheritance laws SOURCE: Social media VERDICT: False A heated debate ensued on social media recently, bringing to the fore the country’s inheritance laws. It all started with the post, ‘So 3 girls vakakurira pabarika (grew up in a polygamous family) their father had 3 […]
Viral image falsely links park to Zimbabwean drug abuse
A picture has been circulating on social media platforms with captions suggesting that it’s indicative of Zimbabwe’s drug problem. A reader reached out to FactCheckZW for clarification. A search of social media platforms showed that this picture has been posted by different accounts. It was posted on X on 22 May 2025 with the caption, […]
Zimbabwe’s 4% medical aid coverage claim false
CLAIM: Zimbabwe’s medical aid coverage crashes from 10% to 4% SOURCE: Healthtimes VERDICT: False In June 2025 an online publication claimed that Zimbabwe’s medical aid coverage had crashed from 10% to 4%. It reports that health insurance coverage in Zimbabwe has declined to a historic low, with new data revealing that only four percent of […]
ZINARA on the wrong path: no need for ZBC exemption if car has no radio receiver
CLAIM:In line with the enacted Broadcasting Services Amendment Act, all motorists are now required to obtain a ZBC radio license before they can renew their vehicle insurance or acquire a ZINARA motor vehicle licence disc. SOURCE: Internal Memo, purportedly from ZINARA VERDICT: False A picture of an internal memorandum presumably from the Zimbabwe National Road […]
Checks and balances, not all power in one
CLAIM: Being Head of State makes him (President) head of all three arms of the State SOURCE: Nick Mangwana VERDICT: False On 9 July 2025, permanent secretary in the information ministry, Nick Mangwana, posted on his X account, ‘His Excellency, President @edmnangagwa, a former longtime legislator and Speaker of Parliament, led by example through his […]
Not a lifetime sentence: obstetric fistula is reversible
On 22 June 2025, the Newsday published a story of a woman who lived for 37 years with obstetric fistula. All because she did not know that it was treatable. And this is not an isolated incident. It’s also the story of Aneni, Maria and Sandra. Despite the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula being […]
About the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC)
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last September swore-in five commissioners of the recently established Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC). Now operational, the commission has disclosed that it has so far received 15 grievances from members of the public. What is ZICC? · ZICC is established in terms of Section 210 of the Constitution […]
Unpacking the 50,000 school dropout claim: what we know (and don’t)
CLAIM: CLOSE to 50,000 learners from both primary and secondary schools dropped out in 2024 SOURCE: newZimbabwe.com VERDICT: Inconclusive Online newspaper newZimbabwe.com made a claim that close to 50 000 learners from both primary and secondary schools dropped out in 2024. This was attributed to Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Angeline Gata, who […]
Suffering from bed bugs? Don’t blame your hygiene
CLAIM : The cause for bed bugs is poor hygiene SOURCE: Social media post VERDICT: False Zimbabwe is grappling with a bed bug infestation which started in the capital Harare, spreading to Kwekwe and now in Bulawayo.This has become a daily topic for online users with one alleging that the country is battling these insects […]
Zimbabwe car radio licences: no receiver, don’t pay. Receiver but don’t like the content, pay up!
On 23 May 2005, an amendment to the Broadcasting Services Act was gazetted. One particular provision – car radio licensing – became a popular topic for debate on social media streets. The feedback ranged from accusations that the public broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, is ‘the worst state broadcaster on earth’ to opinions that ‘if […]
Breastfeeding: takes energy. Lots of it
Today we get into our fourth and final fact sheet on breast milk. Producing breast milk is not child’s play (no pun intended). It consumes 25 – 30% of the body’s energy; the brain only uses 20% by comparison. Did you know? The duration and frequency of breastfeeding vary by background characteristics of the mother. […]
Don’t fall for it: AI-Generated video pushes Crypto investment
CLAIM: Crypto explo deal generates US$4000 in profits for those who managed to invest just US$250 SOURCE: Zimbabwe Revolution (Facebook) VERDICT: False Context: The video showed Strive Masiyiwa speaking on how an investment of US$250 can generate US$4000 which translates to a 1500% profit. In the video Masiyiwa is captured encouraging Zimbabwe to make an […]
Does a blood transfusion change your DNA? (Spoiler: No!)
A post on X, wanted to know if people who receive blood transfusions have their dna changed by the donor’s blood, ‘Garazviya munhu akapiwa ropa reumwe munhu DNA aichinji here.? Just asking hangu (By the way, if someone gets a blood transfusion, doesn’t that change their DNA. Just asking)’. Quick answer is, no, it doesn’t. […]
Not Zimbabwean: this highway is a long way from home
A picture was posted on X with the caption, ‘Even if you are obsessed with hating anything Zimbabwean🇿🇼, quick question for those who have travelled across the country: what’s the name of this Highway?’ While the road did look like it could be in Zimbabwe, there was something off about it. A look at the […]
Breastfeeding 101: It’s not always like the movies
According to UNICEF Zimbabwe, 42% of children in Zimbabwe are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life, 60% of mothers start breastfeeding within the first one hour of life and a quarter of Zimbabwean children suffer from chronic malnutrition. As previously discussed, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, gives a baby the […]
Charcoal vs. Coal in your imbawula/mbaura: no contest, they can both knock you out
CLAIM: Its (brazier) dangerous only with coal not charcoal. SOURCE: Account on social media VERDICT: False Alright, picture this: it’s a very cold night. Maybe hitting the record lows that Zimbabwe experienced in 1980. Or a repeat of Bulawayo’s coldest night in 68 years experienced in June 2011, with a low of -1.5C. The answer? […]
Don’t let the bedbugs bite – no outbreak in Bulawayo
CLAIM: The City of Bulawayo’s Health Services and Control department advises the public of a bedbug infestation in Nkulumane, specifically in areas including Sokusile, Emganwini and Nketa SOURCE: Social media posts VERDICT: False In message that widely circulated on WhatsApp on 8 May 2025 and attributed to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), the author claimed […]
Breastfeeding: Should You? Could You? We’ve got the answers!
Not sure whether you should breast feed your baby or not? Or worried about your milk supply. This factsheet is what the doctor ordered! This Friday we focus on the benefits of breastfeeding and how to increase milk supply. Here are some benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and mother : Nutrition Breast milk is […]
How faithful is ‘Conclave’ about the process of picking a new pope? We fact-checked the movie
Roman Catholics in Zimbabwe number about one million and are organized into eight dioceses. These and others joined the rest of the world in watching events unfold at the Vatican – culminating in the election of the first American Pope, Pope Leo XIV. You might have been wondering how the process of choosing a new […]
Breastfeeding: what’s in it for your baby?
According to UNICEF, 42% of children in Zimbabwe are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, while a quarter suffer from chronic malnutrition. The 42% falls way short of the Sustainable Development Goal target of at least 70 per cent by 2030. While evidence clearly shows that breastfeeding gives a baby the best […]
Kupfuura Mazoe: pane zvinobatika zvinogamuchirwa nevanhu vanopa ropa
CHIREVO: Hapana kuderedzwa kwemitengo kune vanopa ropa. Hakuna kana mubayiro kunze kweiyo girazi reMazoe raunopihwa pakupedza kupa ropa. MABVIRO: Akaunti yeX, Trams – @TramsUK MUTONGO: Inhema Musi wa 6 Kubvumbi 2025, muridzi weakaunti yeX, Trams, aine zita rekushandisa rekuti @TramsUK, akataura kuti hapana kuderedzwa kwemitengo kana mibayiro inopiwa kune vanopa ropa muZimbabwe kana vakazoda ropa […]
More than Mazoe: there are tangible benefits for blood donors
CLAIM: There is no discount for blood donors. Not even an incentive apart from that glass of mazowe you get just after you donate. SOURCE: X Account, Trams – @TramsUK VERDICT: False On April 6, 2025, X account holder, Trams, using the handle @TramsUK, claimed that there were neither discounts nor incentives for blood donors […]
Strive Masiyiwa’s name falsely used in trading scam
CLAIM: Central Bank of Zimbabwe sues Strive Masiyiwa over statements she (sic) made on live television SOURCE: Various social media platforms VERDICT: False Summary: This is an elaborate ploy to scam people into depositing money into a currency trading platform called Nearest Edge, by falsely claiming that it has been endorsed by Strive Masiyiwa. A […]
Bato reChama Cha Mapinduzi harisati rasvika makore 50, asi riri pedyo
Chirevo: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), imwe yemabato akatonga kwechinguva chirefu muAfrica, yave nemakore anopfuura makumi mashanu ichitonga Tanzania. Chinyorwa: ZimLive Mhinduro: Hazvina kunyatsojeka Musi waKubvumbi 13, 2025, ZimLive, kambani yezvenhau yepamhepo, mune chinyorwa chine musoro unoti: ‘Bato guru rinopikisa muTanzania rarambidzwa kuita sarudzo,’ rakati bato rinotonga reTanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), rave nemakore anopfuura makumi […]
Chama Cha Mapinduzi has not clocked 50, but almost there
CLAIM: One of the longest-reigning parties in Africa, CCM – or Chama Cha Mapinduzi – has governed Tanzania for over five decades. SOURCE: ZimLive VERDICT: Misleading On April 13, 2025, ZimLive, an online media house, in an article headlined: ‘Tanzania’s main opposition party banned from election,’ claimed that Tanzania’s governing party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), […]
One airport short: the Hwange airport runway claim checked
CLAIM: Did you know? Hwange National Park Airport in Zimbabwe boasts the 4th longest runway in Africa, trailing only South Africa’s and Harare International Airport’s runways. SOURCE: X Account, Henry Hakula – @henryhakula VERDICT: Partly true On April 1, 2025, X (formerly Twitter) account holder Henry Hakula, using the handle @henryhakula, posted a message claiming […]
Giving cooking oil to babies – science says NO
CLAIM: Siyanai nekupa vana cooking oil (do not feed cooking oil to babies), dangerous to the baby’s lungs. SOURCE: An account on X VERDICT: True A number of Zimbabwean communities still have many cultural ties and taboos linked to mothers and newborns. Some of these range from the treatment of the umbilical cord, ‘protection’ of […]
Skewed samples, sensational stories: 72% paternity discrepancy claim misleading
CLAIM: According to the latest statistics, a staggering 72% of paternity tests conducted have returned negative results, meaning that in most cases, presumed fathers are not biologically related to the children they are raising. SOURCE: Media reports citing Global DNA Zimbabwe VERDICT: Misleading Paternity fraud has become a hot issue in Zimbabwe in recent times, […]
Misreported figures: Chronicle incorrect on female chiefs in Matabeleland
CLAIM: She (Chief Zanele Khumalo) joins two other female chiefs in Matabeleland. SOURCE: The Chronicle VERDICT: False In an article headlined ’Chief Mabhikwa succession wrangle intensifies,’ the Chronicle of 25 March 2025 in the second from last paragraph claims that Zanele Khumalo, who was this month installed as Regent Chief Mabhikwa in Lupane, joins two […]
Viral execution claims about Botswana’s Lesedi Molapisi are false
CLAIM: Lesedi Molapisi, who was sentenced to death in Bangladesh has been hanged 10:30 Friday, 21 March 2025 (GMT+6) Time in Bangladesh SOURCE: Social media VERDICT: False Lesedi Molapisi is a Botswana national, who was arrested and convicted of drug trafficking in Bangladesh. On January 23, 2022, Molapisi, a 30-year-old Motswana woman, was detained and […]
Don’t fall for it: no new teacher recruitment policy, PSC warns against WhatsApp message
CLAIM: There is a new policy of [teacher] deployment that they absorbed (sic) in order to reduce the staff crisis in the nation. SOURCE: WhatsApp Message VERDICT: False In a WhatsApp message that widely circulated before March 10 and even after, the writer advised unemployed teachers who qualified between 2015 and 2023 to visit the […]
Aggravated assault vs. rape: different definitions but same penalty
March is known as #WomensMonth because the International Women’s Day is commemorated on 8 March. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. And talking of women’s equality, an account on X (formerly Twitter) asked, ‘Why […]
Tanzania’s Hassan did not assume office through popular vote
CLAIM: To date, 24 African women have served as heads of state or govt across 17 different countries, but only 3 | Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia) Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) and now Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (Namibia) | have actually won elections through direct popular vote. SOURCE: Account on X VERDICT: Partly true On March 4, 2025, […]