Factcheckzw (2025)

29/10/2025

The claims that when Dr Michael Swango was caught, ‘his lawyer to save him from the consequences of serial killing was David Coltart. Coltart earned about $2500 for his services’ and that ‘the current Mayor of Bulawayo, VIGOROUSLY defended the man who ended up killing 60 hospital patients & colleagues’ are misleading. Coltart defended Swango in a labour dispute case, not against murder charges. Swango was never arrested and charged in Zimbabwe for the killings at Mnene Hospital and, therefore, there was no need for legal defense. There is also no evidence that Swango went on to kill anyone after Coltart represented him in the labour case. Evidence shows that Swango’s killing of patients and colleagues happened before he was represented by Coltart and at that point, Swango had not been charged with murder, in Zimbabwe or the United States. Rather than with Coltart, the blame lies in the medical establishment turning a blind eye.

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: Misleadin....

10/10/2025

The claim that ‘Zimbabwe has never had an O’Level pass rate above 33%’ is inaccurate. In the 2024 examinations, Zimbabwe scraped over the 33% pass rate with a national pass rate of 33.19%.
The O level pass rate is based on the number of candidates who achieve a Grade C or better in five or more subjects, according to ZIMSEC.
O-levels are graded over a symbol scale between A and U. Grades A to C are all formally considered passing grades, while D,E and U are a failing mark.
The most recent O level exam results are from 2024. In a statement on the results, ZIMSEC announced a national pass rate of 33.19% representing a 3.78% increase from the 2023 pass rate.

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% ......

24/09/2025

Not just body shaming: there is a real cost to being overweight or obese. Zimbabwe’s overweight and obese population is not the 35% flagged by cabinet but stands at 50%.
Overweight and obesity is a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, type-2-diabetes and some cancers. The prevalence of NCDs is rising in the country, with 1 in 3 deaths (39%) in Zimbabwe due to NCDs.
The social impact of overweight and obesity in children includes bullying and stigma and an early onset of NCDs (UNICEF, 2021). Furthermore, the economic costs due to overweight and obesity are substantial with an estimated USD$341.76 million in total costs. Direct and indirect costs made up 13.8% and 86.2% of total costs respectively in 2019 alone. By 2060, economic impacts are predicted to increase to USD$1.88 billion (World Obesity Federation, 2022)’.

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....

15/09/2025

Business as usual!
The claim by Perm Sec, Nick Mangwana, that, ‘For those who are inquiring, please note that Monday 15 September is NOT a holiday. See you at work’ is true. Contrary to previous claims that 15 September is a public holiday, it is not. It remains just a celebration of President Mnangagwa’s birthday with various commemorations scheduled but it is not a public holiday. Interestingly, the Herald newspaper which just two weeks ago published an article claiming that 15 September is a public holiday, published another article on 11 September stating that, ‘The Government has reiterated that the Munhumutapa Day set for Monday, September 15, is not a public holiday. This clarification comes amidst misleading discussions and expectations surrounding the recognition of the day. Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe confirmed that the day is not a public holiday and there are no changes.’
However, the paper has not retracted the previous erroneous article.

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...

05/09/2025

With the available evidence, the claim that, ‘At the moment, we do not have any law banning tinted windows on vehicles’ has been rated misleading. This is because SI 129/15 does ban tinted windows on vehicles in certain circumstances. While it is true that this is not a blanket ban, it does ban tinted windows that do not ensure a safe degree of visibility and are not permanently marked with the name or trademark of the manufacturer or with the trade name of the glass, clearly identifying it as safety glass.

The minister acknowledges that there is a law on tinting but implies that this does not apply to windows. This is misleading as the relevant law explicitly states ‘windscreens and windows’.

While the politicians and lawyers sort this out, it remains unclear what is in store for the motoring public. Will the police continue to issue fines for ‘tinted and shaded windows’ or not?

But now you know, if your tinted windows offer a safe degree of visibility and are clearly and permanently marked as safety glass by the manufacturer, you don’t have to pay.

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 conferenc...

26/08/2025

The claim that ’In Zimbabwe, teenage pregnancy has risen from 9% in 2016 to 23.6% in 2023, according to the United Nations’ is true. Some figures put the prevalence at 22% and others at 23% and 23.7%. These can be attributed to differences in definition of terms with some of the assessments looking at the 10-19 age group and some at the 15-19 age group.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality. Complications relating to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 globally. Pregnant girls and adolescents also face other health risks and complications due to their immature bodies. Babies born to younger mothers are also at greater risk.

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. Pa...

06/08/2025

It is not always the case that the surviving spouse inherits the deceased’s house. In cases where there is a will, it is used to guide distribution. Where there is no will, it still depends on whether this was a polygamous or monogamous union. If it’s a polygamous union, it depends on whether it’s the man or woman who has died. In the case of the 3 daughters whose mother has died, after being in a polygamous union, they get two thirds of their mother’s estate while the remaining third goes to their father.

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 .....

26/07/2025

There is no evidence that Zimbabwe’s medical aid coverage has crashed to 4%. The claim by Healthtimes that ‘After years stuck at 10% Zimbabwe’s medical aid coverage crashes to just 4%’ is false as it is not supported by the source document that it quotes. The Zimbabwe Health and Demographic Survey report states that, ‘The majority of women and men (92% and 94%) do not have health insurance. The most common source of insurance is through one’s employer (4.3% for women and 3.2% for men)’. The 8% for women and 6% of men with health insurance does not translate to 4% of the total population.
The trend, according to the report, is that ‘the percentage of women who have insurance has increased slightly from 7% in 2010-11 to 11% in 2015 and decreased to 8% in 2023-24. Similarly, the percentage of men with health insurance increased from 9% in 2010-11 to 12% in 2015 and then decreased to 8% in 2023-24’. There is no evidence in the report to support the claim that ‘after years stuck at 10%, Zimbabwe’s medical aid coverage crashes to just 4%’.

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, w.....

18/07/2025

According to the law, ZBC can issue exemption letters for cars with radio receivers. It is not clear on what grounds the exemption can be given. This seems to have been left to the discretion of the broadcaster. Cars with no radio receivers do not need to visit any ZBC Licencing office for exemption as stated in the ZINARA memo, but only need to fill in the ‘Declaration by a motorist’ contained in the eighth schedule of the Act before a commissioner of Oaths and present it when applying for a ZINARA disc. Therefore, the information on the memorandum stating that ‘Customers whose vehicles are not equipped with a radio receiver are now required to obtain an exemption certificate from the ZBC. They will need to personally visit any ZBC Licensing Office to complete the necessary declaration form and obtain this exemption. We cannot process their ZINARA disc or insurance renewal until they present a valid exemption certificate’, is false and contrary to the law.
Customers without a radio do not require an exemption but only to sign the declaration by a motorist. According to the law, ZBC can issue exemption letters for cars with radio receivers. It is not clear on what grounds the exemption can be given. This seems to have been left to the discretion of the broadcaster.
Similar claims have been debunked before.

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...

10/07/2025

The claim that by ‘being Head of State makes him (President) head of all three arms of the State’ is false. The Zimbabwe constitution has separation of powers and has three separate branches of government. The President is head of the Executive with all executive authority vested in him through his cabinet, but he is not the head of the legislative and judiciary branches. While it may be true that the President’s role and powers are far reaching, particularly in terms of appointments and even in law-making through temporary measures, this does not make him the head of all three branches of state. At least, not according to the Constitution.
The separation of powers is intended to prevent the government from abusing its vast, inherent powers. The function of checks and balances, according to some experts, is not to equalise the branches in power, however, but to prevent one from intervening in the affairs of the others. They say the three branches are equal in status but not in power.

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 , a former longtime legislator a...

01/07/2025

Despite the devastating impact of obstetric fistula, it is not a condition that people simply have to endure. Modern surgical techniques offer highly effective repair, restoring health and dignity to those affected.

In Zimbabwe, visit any health facility if you observe any of the signs and symptoms of obstetric fistula or call toll-free number 08080231 for booking.

While the idea of an obstetric fistula might sound insurmountable, it is a condition that can and should be treated. With increased awareness, improved access to quality healthcare, and continued support for affected women, Zimbabwe is working towards a world free of obstetric fistula.

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 Fi...

26/06/2025

Ever wondered where to report misconduct by security services in Zimbabwe? The Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC) is here for YOU! This newly operational commission provides an essential independent avenue for public grievances. Don't stay silent – ZICC is mandated to investigate and recommend action. Spread the word!

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...

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