In the community

Fact check-Photo of skeleton holding gun has nothing to do with Zimbabwe

Published

4 years ago

November 1, 2021

HARARE – Hundreds of people have interacted online with a picture of a skeleton holding a gun, linking it to ongoing sanctions in Zimbabwe.

But the gun has been photoshopped into the image, which also has nothing to do with Zimbabwe.

The doctored photo has been shared by the same person on Facebook and Twitter – but with different captions in each post.

“Just examine this photograph carefully and ask yourself whether any right-thinking and patriotic Zimbabwean can ever support the imposition of illegal sanctions against our beloved country,” reads the Facebook post, which has attracted more than 250 comments.

On Twitter, the same person Obert Gutu: “It is when I look at such emotional photos such as this one that I get fortified that my decision to make a U-turn & to start denouncing the imposition of illegal sanctions against Zimbabwe was the RIGHT DECISION.

“We shouldn’t sell our birthright for a few pieces of silver”. This tweet has been liked 162 times.

However, the image is unrelated to Zimbabwe. It has also been photoshopped to include the gun.

The original picture can be seen on the cover of Cliffs End Farm, an archaeology report from 2015 on an ancient mortuary and ritual site discovered in Thanet in England.

Pictures of the skeleton from different angles can be seen in other reports about the same archaeological research.

VERDICT

Missing context. The original photo was from an archaeological site in England. It has nothing to do with Zimbabwe. The gun has been digitally added. – Reuters Fact Check

In the community

Relatives convicted of brutal assault of son-in-law over property dispute

Published

5 days ago

July 29, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Bulawayo court has concluded the case of a 65-year-old man, Abednico Maposa, who was brutally attacked by his relatives, including his wife and three brothers-in-law, over a property dispute in Swart Village, Inyathi.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, four accused individuals – Sikhanyiso Zulu, Isaac Sibanda, Cabangani Zulu, and Lucky Zulu – were on trial for assaulting Maposa.

The State alleged that on February 9, the accused persons attacked Maposa with stones, demanding a fridge and other belongings, and left him unconscious with head and body injuries.

In conclusion, the Tredgold Regional Court Magistrate in Bulawayo acquitted Sikhanyiso Zulu and Isaac Sibanda due to insufficient evidence.

Cabangani Zulu and Lucky Zulu were convicted and sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, with 6 months suspended and an additional 18 months suspended on condition that they complete 630 hours of community service.

Hwange

Teacher sentenced to 15 months for assaulting student with wooden stick

Published

6 days ago

July 28, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Hwange Magistrates’ Court has convicted and sentenced a 27-year-old teacher, Shyleen Nenduva, to 15 months imprisonment for brutally assaulting a 15-year-old grade 7 student.

According to court records, on July 9, Nenduva from Gwai, struck the student several times on the back with a wooden stick, punched him once in the chest, and violently pushed him onto a desk. The assault resulted in the student sustaining a swollen and painful right elbow.

The court heard that the incident occurred after the student misbehaved outside the classroom, prompting Nenduva to caution him. However, a misunderstanding ensued, leading to the physical altercation.

In sentencing Nenduva, the court suspended 6 months of the imprisonment term for 5 years. The remaining 9 months were suspended on condition that Nenduva performs 315 hours of community service.

Hwange

Hwange driver remanded in custody for alleged beer theft

Published

6 days ago

July 28, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 38-year-old driver, Munyaradzi Gotora, has been remanded in custody by the Hwange Magistrates’ Court on three counts of theft involving large consignments of alcoholic beverages.

Gotora, employed at Delta Beverages’ Hwange Depot, allegedly diverted multiple loads of Chibuku Super beer destined for Binga and surrounding areas between June 25 and July 9, 2025.

According to the State, on June 26, 2025, Gotora sold 1,189 cases of beer valued at USD4,451.62 and failed to deposit the funds. He allegedly falsified delivery invoices, presenting them as credit transactions with Gain Cash and Carry, which were not signed.

Similar incidents allegedly occurred on June 30, 2025, involving 866 cases valued at USD3,242.30, and on July 5, 2025, involving 1,933 cases worth USD8,779. In the latter incident, Gotora allegedly deposited only USD2,110, converting the balance to his own use.

An investigation into the anomalies in stock records uncovered irregularities across the three transactions. Police recovered receipts at Gotora’s place of residence, linking him to the crime.

Gotora is scheduled to appear in court again on August 14. In the meantime, he will remain in custody.