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CLAIM: Mildred Chari (sic) has been replaced by Mrs Virginia Mabhiza as Auditor General with effect from 1st November 2023.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 […]
Explainer: A two thirds majority is not enough to change presidential term limits – a referendum is needed
CLAIM: In fact the CCC 12 in Bulawayo is part of Mnangagwa’s plan – a long shot – to get two thirds of National Assembly seats and amend the constitution to scrap term limits. His internal Zanu PF rivals must share the CCC’s outrage. SOURCE: Twitter VERDICT: False @Mathuthu tweeted that the barring of 17 […]
No, the Constitution does not state that a VP succeeds a President
CLAIM: By law, this man was supposed to have legally taken over after Mugabe’s “resignation,” as he was the sole VP, as Mnangagwa had long been fired by RG. SOURCE: Twitter VERDICT: False A user on Twitter commenting on former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s presence at a ZANU PF rally claimed that, ‘Former ZanuPF and […]
Explainer: Yes, Raj Modi could also be disqualified, but it’s not as simple as that
Following the High Court in Bulawayo ruling that the 12 Citizens Coalition for Change candidates and 5 others be removed from those who successfully filed their nomination papers, there have been many engagements and debates on the implications of this ruling on other candidates. David Coltart, CCC member and candidate for Ward 4 in Bulawayo, […]
Zimbabwe is neither the most literate state nor the country with the fastest GDP growth – contrary to VP Chiwenga’s claims
VICE–PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga, while addressing Zanu PF supporters in Stoneridge, Harare South constituency, highlighted several achievements that he said have been achieved by the current administration for the past five years it has been in power. The claims were carried by newspapers here and here. These two claims have been made previously by other government […]
Statistics quoted by the Herald actually show that police have blocked more CCC gatherings than ZANU PF
CLAIM: Police block more Zanu PF gatherings than opposition SOURCE: The Herald VERDICT: False The Herald newspaper published a story headlined ‘Police block more Zanu PF gatherings than opposition’ on July 25. The story was also published on Afro Gazette here. The article reported that ‘Police have blocked 86 gatherings of the ruling Zanu PF […]
‘Analyst Richard Stone’ vouching for President Mnangagwa is AI generated
CLAIM: Richard Stone, the Political Analysts (sic) shared his views on the policies spearheaded by the Second Republic for the past 5 years. Give credit where it is due. SOURCE: Twitter VERDICT: Misleading A ‘political analyst’ breaks down the successes of President Mnangagwa’s last six years in office in a video on TikTok. He introduces […]
Valerio only woman in 2023 presidential race but not first woman ever
CLAIM: Elisabeth Valerio will be the first female Presidential candidate as she won her appeal against ZEC’s decision to reject her nomination papers. SOURCE: CITE VERDICT: Missing context On 19 July 2023 leader of United Zimbabwe Alliance Elisabeth Valerio won her bid to contest in the 2023 presidential race. A reader asked us to check […]
No, Chamisa did not say land must be returned to white colonial settlers
CLAIM: Chamisa says land must be returned to white colonial settlers. SOURCE: Twitter VERDICT: False and Misleading In a tweet following a rally address by Citizens Coalition for Change leader in Gweru on 16 July 2023, a user by the handle @matigary claimed that Nelson Chamisa ‘says land must be returned to white colonial masters’. […]
Yes, just because you are married does not mean you have rights to that property
CLAIM: All marriages in Zimbabwe are out of community of property. You don’t own all property 50/50 just bcoz u r (sic) now married. SOURCE: Social media VERDICT: True Zimbabwe has 3 different types of marriages that a person can choose from – a monogamous civil marriage, a potentially polygamous qualified civil marriage or a […]
Watch out for job hiring scams: ZEC advert is a scam
CLAIM: ZEC is recruiting staff for coming General Election. SOURCE: WhatsApp Groups VERDICT: False Zimbabwe has of late seen an increase in job offer scams. Targeted organisations include the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. In an environment where people are looking for jobs, people tend to share widely any job opportunity, especially from […]
Checking two rally claims on economy by President Mnangagwa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched his re-election campaigns, starting with a rally in Chipinge on June 24 and another in Bulilima on July 1. At both rallies, President Mnangagwa has told supporters that his government has presided over economic progress. We checked some key claims that he made in his speeches. CLAIM 1: The mining […]
Fact checking Minister Mutsvangwa’s interview: mix of truths, half truths and untruths
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa sat down for an interview with NewzRoom Afrika’s Cathy Mohlahlana. We fact-checked her speech. It didn’t start very well as the minister got her dates wrong. She told Mohlahlane that the interview date was ‘exactly one month before the elections’. This was not true – the election was two months away. […]
Yes, posting nudes without consent can land you in jail
CLAIM: Sharing or broadcasting intimate photographs or videos without the authorisation of the person in question can result in a five-year prison sentence SOURCE: The Herald VERDICT: True On 12 June 2017, the Herald carried a story headlined Posting Nudes now attracts jail term. In that story, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe […]
No evidence that Zimbabwe’s mineral exports hit almost USD10 billion in 2022.
CLAIM: Zimbabwe was able to generate US$9.77 billion in mineral revenue, making it the 10th African country to export the largest volumes of natural resources last year. SOURCE: Daily News Zimbabwe, The Chronicle and Mining Zimbabwe VERDICT: False On 30 May 2023 the Daily News tweeted that ‘despite illegal sanctions, Zimbabwe was able to generate […]
No evidence of a group of Zimbabweans arrested for stealing £200k in Coventry
CLAIM: A group of Zimbabweans has found themselves in handcuffs after allegedly carrying out a daring £200,000 money heist in the United Kingdom (UK). SOURCE: Various Online Media VERDICT: False Zimbabwean online media has been awash with a story of Zimbabweans who allegedly stole £200 000 in Coventry, United Kingdom. The story was first carried […]
EXPLAINER: In an election, 50% plus 1 vote does not equate to 51%
CLAIM: For a candidate to win the presidential race, he/she should get 50 percent of the votes plus 1 (51 percent) of the total votes. SOURCE: Spiked Media VERDICT: Misleading With Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections scheduled for the 23rd of August 2023, a lot of information is going around and citizens are familiarising themselves with the […]
No, Zimbabwe’s “Patriotic Bill” does not outlaw criticism as reported
CLAIM: Zimbabwe has passed a law that outlaws criticism SOURCE: Reuters/Times LIVE VERDICT: False Zimbabwe’s lower House of Parliament on May 31 passed the Criminal Law Code Amendment Bill, which provides for the crime of “wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national”, earning the Bill the moniker “Patriotic Bill”. The Bill has gained widespread local and […]
No, Mr Mzembi, announcing a runoff date is not merely a ‘provision’ but legal requirement that has been followed since 2013
CLAIM: The provision has always been there but never invoked because there was CONFIDENCE Ruling Party Presidential Candidate would make it first round SOURCE: Dr Walter Mzembi on Twitter VERDICT: False Following the proclamation of Zimbabwe’s 2023 election dates on 31 May 2023, former minister Walter Mzembi tweeted that ‘Pronouncing a Runoff date is a […]
Of Elon Musk and ‘his’ AI generated ‘robot wives’
Fancy a soulless wife? Or is it one that doesn’t talk back? Maybe, you do not want to deal with those all too human mood swings. Or you have had enough of heartbreaks already. How much would you be willing to pay for a robot wife? USD3000 as this Twitter user claims here? Or USD3150 […]
Yes, the 27th of May marked the first day that the 2023 election can be proclaimed
CLAIM: With effect from today (Saturday 27), it has become legally possible to proclaim dates for the sitting of the Nomination Court and the election due on any date between 21st and 26th August 2023. SOURCE: Prof Welshman Ncube on Twitter VERDICT: Correct Zimbabweans have been waiting for the proclamation of the election date, with […]
YES, Zimbabwe had over 22 000 inmates in its prisons before latest amnesty
CLAIM: Zimbabwe’s prisons have a holding capacity of 17 000 prisoners but have about 22 000 inmates SOURCE: Times Live VERDICT: TRUE Even though Zimbabwe’s prison facilities have a holding capacity of 17 000, they did hold over 22 000 inmates as mentioned by Times Live, before the latest amnesty. South African newspaper Times Live […]
No, that was not ZANU PF filling in potholes with gravel
CLAIM: This is Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU PF filling potholes with gravel on an urban tarred road SOURCE: Hopewell Chin’ono on Twitter VERDICT: False On 16 May 2023, Hopewell Chino’no tweeted a picture here to his more than 590 thousand followers claiming that a picture he shared was of ZANU PF patching potholes using gravel […]
Phishing alert. Smith Petrix may be a scammer!
A reader requested FactCheckZW to look into the issue of an unknown person with an Italian number who is inboxing people asking to befriend them. The person, who calls himself Smith Petrix, is currently sending a number of people in Zimbabwe a WhatsApp message posing as someone from Italy. Petrix presents himself as a wealthy […]
Yes, amendments to electoral act will bar those with criminal records – but it’s not that simple
CLAIM: A number of sitting opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors and MPs may be barred from contesting the upcoming elections if the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is signed into law SOURCE: Newsday VERDICT: True In a story published by the NewsDay on 12 April 2023, headlined ‘Electoral Bill, bad news for CCC’, a […]