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

MPs question poor radio, TV coverage in Mat North

Published

15 hours ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Concerns over limited access to national broadcasting services in Matabeleland North Province were raised in Parliament.

MP Discent Bajila of Emakhandeni-Luveve constituency asked the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services:

“To explain why national radio and television coverage remains poor or non-existent in parts of Gokwe North District, Matabeleland North Province, Matabeleland South Province, and nearby districts, and to indicate whether there are any digital signal expansion plans in place before 2026.”

In a separate question, Joseph Bonda for Hwange East Constituency raised concern over weather information gaps in Hwange:

“Why the weather forecast for Hwange is not broadcast, given that it is a resort with municipal status and significant business activities.”

No responses were recorded.

In the community

MP press govt on Binga hospital, mortuary crisis

Published

4 days ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Members of the Parliament of Zimbabwe have raised concern over the state of health services in Binga District, questioning delays in upgrading key facilities.

Binga South MP, Fanuel Cumanzala asked the Minister of Health and Child Care:

“Whether there are any plans to rehabilitate Binga District Hospital to make it suitable for a nursing school, as earlier announced by the government.”

He further queried:

“Whether there are any concrete plans to permanently resolve the challenges faced by Binga District, particularly regarding the mortuary, which has not been fully operational for a long time.”

In a follow-up question, the legislator pressed government on broader service delivery gaps:

“What measures are being taken to improve healthcare services in Binga District, particularly in rural areas.”

“What measures are being implemented to reduce incidence of malaria and waterborne diseases in the Zambezi Valley.”

“Whether there are any plans to upgrade and expand healthcare facilities in Binga District in light of population growth and increased economic activity.”

No response was recorded in the proceedings

In the community

Hwange residents invited to constitutional amendment public hearing

Published

4 days ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents in Hwange are set to have their say on proposed changes to the country’s supreme law as the Parliament of Zimbabwe rolls out public hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill.

The outreach programme will reach the coal-mining town on Tuesday, 31 March, with the hearing scheduled for 10am at Edmund Davies Hall, located at the No.1 Colliery Club near Thomas Coulter Primary School.

Attendance is free, and members of the public are being encouraged to participate and express their views on the proposed amendment.

According to Parliament, the hearings are part of a nationwide consultation process aimed at gathering citizens’ input before the bill is finalised. The proposed legislation—Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026)—seeks to introduce changes to key governance provisions.

The Matabeleland North outreach will begin in Tsholotsho on Monday, 30 March, before moving to Hwange, then to Binga on Wednesday, 1 April, and concluding in Lupane on Thursday, 2 April.

Parliament has also opened channels for written submissions, which can be sent to the Clerk of Parliament or via email.

However, authorities have warned that individuals wearing military uniforms, political party regalia, or carrying flags and badges will not be allowed into the hearings.

Residents in and around Hwange are urged to attend in numbers and make their voices heard.