HARARE – Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has dismissed as fake news a press statement circulating on social media purporting to originate from Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, in which the VP allegedly distances himself from planned nationwide protests scheduled for Friday.
In a strongly worded clarification issued on Thursday evening, Charamba said the document — which appeared on official Government of Zimbabwe stationery — was fraudulent and not authorised by the Department of Presidential Communications.
“ABUSE OF GOVERNMENT STATIONERY: Kindly note that the message below, however well-intentioned, has been pasted on government stationery without the knowledge, involvement, or sanction of the Department of Presidential Communications, to which the original stationery belongs,” Charamba stated.
He emphasised that all official communications from the Presidency carry identifiable security features and authentic signatures of the authorised officials. Any documents lacking these, he warned, should be treated as forgeries.
ABUSE OF GOVERNMENT STATIONERY: KINDLY NOTE THAT THE MESSAGE BELOW, HOWEVER WELL-INTENTIONED, HAS BEEN PASTED ON GOVERNMENT STATIONERY, WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, INVOLVEMENT OR SANCTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS, TO WHICH THE ORIGINAL STATIONERY BELONGS. BONA… pic.twitter.com/XRu3URfOh9
— Jamwanda (@Jamwanda2) October 16, 2025
“Bona fide messages from sincere sources never forge or fraudulently abuse government stationery to redeem themselves,” Charamba added. “We regard such a seemingly well-meant messaging act as the thin end of the wedge; left unchallenged, the next act is downright criminality.”
The disputed statement, which surfaced earlier this week, bore the Vice President’s name and signature, warning citizens against participating in “illegal demonstrations” planned for 17 October 2025. The message, which circulated widely on social media platforms, sparked confusion as it appeared to carry the official letterhead of the Office of the President and Cabinet.
Charamba reiterated that no such statement had been sanctioned by the Presidency and urged the public to rely only on verified channels for government communication.
“All genuine statements traceable to the Presidency bear the official security features of the Department and genuine signatures of the author concerned,” he said.
The clarification comes amid heightened political tension and rumours of nationwide demonstrations against the Vice President. The government has cautioned citizens against sharing or circulating unverified documents and warned that those responsible for producing and distributing fake official material could face prosecution under Zimbabwe’s cyber and criminal laws.
