Binga North MP has not dumped Parliament
CLAIM: Binga North Member of Parliament (MP) Prince Dubeko Sibanda has become the latest to dump the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in solidarity with its former President Nelson Chamisa. SOURCE: NewZimbabwe.com VERDICT: Misleading In an article published by an online publication, Newzimbabwe.com on February 3, 2024, under the headline: “Prince Dubeko Sibanda dumps Parliament for Chamisa, as […]
ACF not offering free surgeries to breast cancer patients
CLAIM: Africa Cancer Foundation (ACF) will be offering free breast cancer surgeries to women SOURCE: WhatsApp VERDICT: False (old message been re-circulated) In a post that widely circulated on WhatsApp on Sunday, February 4, 2024, the author (identity not known) invites people who know of any women suffering from breast cancer, to advise them to […]
Overstepping: no, chiefs do not have powers to seize property to settle debt owed to schools
CLAIM: With all authority vested in me, I have got the right and privilege to seize your property. SOURCE: Chief Maduna VERDICT: False In a video clip circulating on social media, a man believed to be Chief Vezi Maduna of Insiza District in Matabeleland South, claims that as a chief he has powers to seize […]
No, Tshabangu was not blocked from signing NERA MoU
CLAIM: NERA blocks Sengezo Tshabangu from Signing MOU in Bulawayo SOURCE: Spikedmedia and Zimeye VERDICT: False On 25 January 2024, an online media publication, Spikedmedia, carried a story headlined: “NERA Blocks Sengezo Tshabangu from Signing MOU in Bulawayo.” The article by one Edward Makuzva, claims the National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) on 24 January 2024 […]
No, the University of Zimbabwe is not offering free online courses
CLAIM: The University of Zimbabwe if offering free online courses SOURCE: Facebook VERDICT: False, a circulation sent by a Facebook page is a scam. A Facebook page by the name of CICI Merchandise Store on January 27 sent a post on the platform encouraging people to apply for free online courses offered by the University […]
Yes, Zimbabwe is one of two African countries which are wheat self-sufficient
CLAIM: Zimbabwe is one of the only two African countries which are wheat self-sufficient SOURCE: Nick Mangwana on X, formerly Twitter VERDICT: True Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, on January 17, 2024, claimed that Zimbabwe remained one of the only two African countries that are wheat self-sufficient […]
No, this video of a collapsed building does not show a school in Binga
CLAIM: Binga school collapses SOURCE: Account on X VERDICT: False An account on X, @shepherdyuda, has claimed that a video that has been circulating on social media is of a school in Binga, a district in the western part of Zimbabwe. The video shows rescue efforts to get school children from underneath a grass thatched […]
Yes, an average of 2000 people die in RTAs every year; if you trust ZRP figures
CLAIM: An average 2 000 people die every year on the country’s roads SOURCE: The NewsDay VERDICT: True, when using Zimbabwe’s own data and definition. Every time a person between the ages of 5 – 29 gets on the road, they face a high risk of dying. The risk increases if they are a pedestrian. […]
Yes, Zimbabwe does have 16 official languages
CLAIM: Zimbabwe has 16 official languages SOURCE: Africa Facts Zone on X, formerly Twitter VERDICT: True Zimbabwe is home to almost 16 million people. 15,178,979, to be exact, as of the 20th of April 2022. The country is home to people of diverse cultures and languages. The question of Zimbabwe’s official languages has been a […]
If you registered after June 3, 2023 and are in the 6 constituencies having by elections, you are now eligible to vote
Zimbabwe is due to hold by elections on February 3 2024. These will be for 6 National Assembly seats and 28 local authority wards. On 14 November Sengezo Tshabangu recalled 13 National Assembly Members, 5 senators and 31 councillors belonging to the Citizens Coalition of Change. Of the 13 National Assembly seats, 6 are constituency […]
Lightning can strike your home several times and no, it hasn’t been sent by your enemies. It’s just science and geography
CLAIM: Lightning does not strike the same place twice. SOURCE: Account on X (formerly Twitter) VERDICT: False It’s the rainy season in Zimbabwe and already a number of lightning strikes have occurred and fatalities recorded. Zimbabwe is prone to lightning strikes and was once entered into the Guinness book of records for the highest number […]
What would happen if CCC candidates pulled out of Parliament?
Zimbabwe’s laws do not expressly address a situation where a party withdraws it’s members from Parliament, except when it’s a recall. There are two ways, however, in which Parliamentarians belonging to the Citizens Coalition for Change can pull out of Parliament. According to Section 129 (b) of the Constitution they can resign in writing to […]
Not so fast, do not leave your passport when travelling to Botswana
CLAIM: Passports no longer required when travelling between Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 and Botswana 🇧🇼. SOURCE: Dr Anywhere Mutambudzi on X (formerly Twitter) VERDICT: Misleading Zimbabwe and Botswana have been trending following reports that the two countries have suspended the use of passports for its citizens to cross into each other’s countries. Chief Director Strategic Communications in […]
If you want a customary marriage and your culture believes in lobola, you have only one option – pay
CLAIM: Men can now pay lobola only if they want to as bride price is now a moral decision rather than a mandated legal necessity under the New Marriages Act. SOURCE: The Chronicle VERDICT: Misleading The not so new Marriage Act – having commenced in September 2022 – brought with it a number of changes. […]
No, SABC video not AI generated but old resurfacing from 2017
CLAIM: That’s an AI generated video that has NOTHING to do with SABC SOURCE: X, formerly Twitter VERDICT: False A video of the South African Broadcasting Corporation claiming that a new cabinet has been announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa with Oppah Muchinguri as one of the vice presidents has surfaced. The video has been shared […]
Yes, white rules the sky. White is the most efficient colour for airplanes
SUMMARY: It’s not by chance that most planes are white with splashes of color on logos and tails. The white color contributes to the safety of the plane. Additional colors add weight, and mess up the efficiency of the plane. CLAIM: There is a reason why most airplanes have the white color. These machines take […]
Yes, while stock theft attracts stiffer sentences than rape in some instances, rape can get you life
CLAIM: Zimbabwe stock theft attracts a stiffer sentence than rape in some instances SOURCE: Account on X, formerly Twitter VERDICT: True While it is true that in Zimbabwe stock theft attracts a stiffer sentence than rape in some instances, its not as simple as that. Zimbabwe has in the past grappled with inconsistencies in the […]
Donkey milk not ‘pure’ but contains low fat content. More research needed to determine its healing properties
CLAIM: Donkey milk is characterized by its purity, containing no bacteria and boasting low fat content… research has indicated that donkey milk contains essential amino acids that support cardiovascular health, help in the treatment of thrombosis, and combat common ailments like colds. SOURCE: Takuwa Natural Products VERDICT: Partly True A Botswana company is seeking to […]
No, picture is not from Gukurahundi
CLAIM: Picture is of ‘Nkosilathi Ndlovu a victim of Zimbabwe’s Gukurahundi’. SOURCE: @auzqn on X (formerly Twitter) VERDICT: False Recontextualised images have become quite common on social media platforms. Recontextualized media is any image, video, or audio clip that has been taken out of its original context and reframed for an entirely different purpose or […]
FunCheck: Yes, expagorate is not an English word
CLAIM: Expagorate is not a word. SOURCE: Rudo Manyere on X (formerly Twitter) VERDICT: True How many Zimbabweans have used, or at least know, the word ‘expagorate’? Some call it ‘espagorate’ and even have a noun to go with it – ‘espagoration’. Many, if the responses to the post are anything to go by. Users […]
No, Prof Mthuli Ncube is not a member of Parliament and has never been
CLAIM: The constitution allows the President to appoint up to 7 (people) into Cabinet without them having been elected into Parliament. They automatically become members of Parliament with the same rights privileges and obligations as constituency MPs. Mthuli is already a member Parliament, he doesn’t need to represent a constituency to be there. He is […]
No, doctor who performed groundbreaking surgery on an unborn foetus is neither Chivayo nor Zimbabwean
CLAIM: A Zimbabwean doctor, Dr Chris Chivayo, cut a woman’s baby out of her womb at 21 weeks and successfully operated on it and took out a tumor, then placed the baby back in the mother’s womb. SOURCE: @blavkredd on X (formerly Twitter) VERDICT: False With the advance in technology, medical miracles have become common. […]
EXPLAINER: Parliamentary Recalls – What role does the speaker play?
The recall of members of parliament and councillors elected under the Citizens Coalition for Change, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, has caused quite a stir and debate within Zimbabwean social and mainstream media here and here. In a letter stamped on the 3rd of October 2023 by the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Sengezo Tshabangu,who signed off as […]
NO, WFP is not providing cash assistance via a questionnaire. Beware of scams
CLAIM: World Food Programme providing cash assistance through questionnaire, $800 at stake SOURCE: Social Media (WhatsApp) VERDICT: FALSE, the organisation is not offering any cash assistance through such a process. It’s a scam. A message supposedly from the World Food Programme (WFP) has gone viral on WhatsApp, claiming that the non-governmental organisation is giving people […]
Does Zimbabwe have the most expensive fuel in the region? We checked.
CLAIM: Zimbabwe’s fuel prices are the most exorbitant compared to other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). SOURCE: Newsday VERDICT: TRUE On Thursday, October 12th, the Newsday newspaper ran an article claiming that Zimbabwe charges fuel at prices that are way higher than other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. […]
No, government does not have a $450m grant for entrepreneurs
CLAIM: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS. We are delighted to announce approval of $450M grant from the World Bank. This is an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, traders and SMEs. This grant is targeting to boost entrepreneurship, innovation, investment, and trade in the country. SOURCE: Facebook VERDICT: FALSE The government of Zimbabwe is not offering any […]
No, sanctions have not led to the increase of infant mortality rates in Zim
Zimbabwe has seen a decline from a high of 60 in 2001-2 to 24.2 in 2022 CLAIM: Ever since sanctions … 56 children per 1000 births die, up from 38/1000. SOURCE: Rutendo Matinyarare on X VERDICT: False A post on how a father lost a child in a Zimbabwean hospital degenerated into a discussion on […]
No, Virginia Mabhiza has not been appointed Auditor General
CLAIM: Mildred Chari (sic) has been replaced by Mrs Virginia Mabhiza as Auditor General with effect from 1st November 2023. SOURCE: TechMag TV VERDICT: False Media outlet TechMag TV posted on X, (formerly Twitter), that President Mnangagwa has made some reshuffles in his government by appointing VIrginia Mabhiza as Auditor General, replacing Mildred Chiri. The […]
No, President Mnangagwa has not yet addressed the 78th UNGA summit – empty or otherwise
CLAIM: Pres Mnangagwa humiliated again as he addresses empty chairs at UN Summit SOURCE: Mbire TV VERDICT: False A page called Mbire TV posted a video showing a still picture of President Emmerson Mnangagwa allegedly addressing the 78th United Nations General Assembly. The voice over, in Shona, on the video claims that, ‘Nhasi vanga varipakati […]
Inconclusive evidence of pediatric HIV in Zimbabwe but more children than adults still unaware of their HIV status
SUMMARY: While it is unclear just how many children living with HIV are unaware of their status, evidence shows that Zimbabwe did not meet the 2020 90-90-90 target for pediatric HIV. CLAIM: 35% of children with HIV unaware of their status’ SOURCE: ZBC VERDICT: Inconclusive HIV and AIDS remains a challenge in Zimbabwe, with a […]
A nursing recruitment message circulating on WhatsApp is a scam
A message circulating on social media platform, WhatsApp encouraging aspiring nurses between the ages of 17 and 35 to apply to the Ministry of Health and Child Care is a scam. In the message candidates are urged to pay a fee of US$10 or $70 000 in local currency for their applications to be successful […]
No, the USA did not send any congratulatory message to President Emmerson Mnangagwa
CLAIM: The White House sent a letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa congratulating him on his election victory. SOURCE: WhatsApp VERDICT: FALSE A letter circulating on social media since September 3rd, purports to have been sent by US President Joe Biden. The letter ‘signed’ by President Joel Biden sends a congratulatory message to President Emmerson Mnangagwa […]
No Fresh Polls For Zimbabwe
IN SHORT: Messages shared and circulated on various social media platforms that Zimbabwe is going to have fresh polls administered by SADC in the next 3 to 6 months are false. There are no talks currently on Zimbabwe having fresh polls, as the election results have not been legally challenged. The main opposition party, Citizens […]
ZEC: It is your math that is not mathing
CLAIM: @ZECzim break the world record of pple who have voted ZANU PF 52,6℅ CCC 44℅ Other parties 6,4℅ Totally 103℅ 😂😂😂 Just a clear sing of rigged election @SADC_News ,@CCCZimbabwe SOURCE: WhatsApp VERDICT: False A WhatsApp message has been forwarded claiming that the presidential results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission do not add […]
Wait a minute … cabinet remains in place until a new President is sworn in
CLAIM: Cabinet was dissolved, therefore it is unclear in what capacity the former Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi is throwing a tantrum. SOURCE: X, formerly Twitter VERDICT: False One of the questions that arise with the holding of elections is around the tenure of Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers. Is cabinet dissolved at the time of […]
The DOs and DONTs: Your guide on what to do and not on election day
A part of Section 56 of the Electoral Act reads: “(b) except as provided in Part XIV (“PostalVoting”),a voter shall not be entitled to vote otherwise than at a polling station located in a ward for which he or she is registered as a voter on the ward voters roll” See here what happens in […]
You can do parallel tabulation and publish election results as long as you do not declare them as official
CLAIM: It is illegal to announce election results before they are announced by ZEC SOURCE: Zimbabwe Electoral Commission VERDICT: Missing context The Zimbabwe Electoral Commision has said it is illegal to announce the election results before they are announced by the electoral body. See here. This claim has been rated as partly true. According to […]
Beware: Not all pictures being shared on political violence are from Zimbabwe
In short: there are pictures being circulated on social media showing people who have been victims of political violence in the 2023 elections, not all of them are true reports. The picture of a man reportedly attacked in Chitungwiza’s Ward 19 is not from Zimbabwe.
Pictures allegedly proving ZANU PF rigging are not from the current election cycle
CLAIM: – ZRP Rusape! rigging is in progress. Police officers are being forced to vote fo (sic) Zanu pf now. NO observers & No media they are voting under the watchful eye of the Dispol rusape at ZRP Rusape DHQ. SOURCE: Social Media VERDICT: False An account on X, formerly known as Twitter, has claimed […]
Kasukuwere Supreme Court Ruling was confirmed
CLAIM: The order of Mangota J was not confirmed per the provisions of the constitution SOURCE: Twitter VERDICT: False Following the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere’s case where he was challenging the constitutionality of his removal from nominated candiddates, a member of his campaign team tweeted, ‘BREAKING!!!! The order of Mangota J […]
