Mutinhiri VP Rumour Debunked as Charamba, Mangwana Expose Forged Statement
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has dismissed a widely circulated social media letter alleging that retired Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri has been appointed as Zimbabwe’s new Vice President.
The statement, which surfaced earlier this week, falsely claimed that Mutinhiri was replacing Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who was said to have stepped down due to health reasons.
To counter the growing speculation, government spokesperson Nick Mangwana posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, exposing glaring errors in the viral statement.
He challenged its credibility and urged Zimbabweans to verify information before accepting it as truth.
Mangwana specifically pointed out a major constitutional blunder — the invocation of Section 205(1) of the Constitution, which actually pertains to Permanent Secretaries, not Vice Presidential appointments.
“SPOT THE FAKE. Learn to check out things. Inga makafunda wani. The information is a fingertip away. Section 205(1) of the Constitution is about Permanent Secretaries,” Mangwana wrote.
Building on Mangwana’s rebuttal, Charamba responded with a far sterner tone, unleashing a fiery post on social media.
He condemned the authors of the forged statement and warned that such reckless misuse of digital platforms would not go unpunished.
“WHEN A FULL GROWN-UP HUMAN BEING SPENDS TIME COMPOSING SUCH COUNTERFEIT MESSAGE, THEY HOPE TO ACHIEVE WHAT? THIS FRAUDULENT MISUSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO PEDDLE LIES ATTRACTS CONSEQUENCES. TAMEDZERERA ZVAKWANA!” he fumed.
Adding to the confusion, the fake statement dressed in official-sounding language and embellished with Mutinhiri’s career highlights attempted to pass as an authentic government communiqué.
It claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had made the appointment in recognition of Mutinhiri’s loyalty to ZANU-PF, further fueling online speculation.
Despite the viral claims, authorities have reiterated that no changes have been made to the country’s vice presidency — Kembo Mohadi remains in office.
In an age of viral misinformation, officials are urging citizens to stay alert, question sources, and rely only on verified government channels for announcements of national importance.
-Bulawayo24
