IVerify Zambia

01/10/2026

Photographs of President Hakainde Hichilema circulating online are not old images from 2025 or AI-generated photographs, as claimed. The images are consistent with his September 2026 working visit to Abu Dhabi, where he held official engagements, including a meeting with International Resources Holding CEO Ali Rashed Alrashdi and participation in the Zambia–UAE Business Forum.

No, President Hichilema’s Abu Dhabi photos are recent, not AI-generated images, nor from 2025

Photographs of President Hakainde Hichilema circulating online are not old images from 2025 or AI-generated photographs, as claimed. The images are consistent with his September 2026 working visit to Abu Dhabi, where he held official engagements, including a meeting with International Resources Hold...

01/10/2026

Recent social media posts claimed that Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana had been evacuated to South Africa for advanced medical treatment and admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, official footage and records show Mr. Kawana carrying out official duties in Zambia on 24, 25 and 28 September 2026, contradicting the claim that he had been evacuated to South Africa and was in an ICU.

https://iverifyzambia.org/official-appearances-contradict-claims-that-ps-thabo-kawana-was-evacuated-to-south-africa/

01/10/2026

A social media claim that President Hakainde Hichilema travelled to the United Arab Emirates for emergency medical treatment is false. Official government communication confirms that President Hichilema travelled to the UAE for an official working visit at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit includes bilateral engagements, investment and business discussions, and other official activities.

https://iverifyzambia.org/no-president-hichilemas-uae-trip-is-an-official-working-visit-not-a-medical-trip/

25/09/2026

MYTH❌
The first to break the news has the correct information.
FACT ✅
“Being first does not always mean information is accurate. Verify information with credible and independent sources.

23/09/2026

23/09/2026

There is no credible evidence that former Vice-President Dr. Nevers Mumba was assigned a secret mission to poison detained opposition leaders Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu. iVerify Zambia contacted his Special Assistant, who dismissed the allegation as false, and found no independent evidence supporting the claim.

No, Dr. Nevers Mumba was not on secret mission to poison detained opposition leaders

There is no credible evidence that former Vice-President Dr. Nevers Mumba was assigned a secret mission to poison detained opposition leaders Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu. iVerify Zambia contacted his Special Assistant, who dismissed the allegation as false, and found no independent evidence supp...

22/09/2026

A viral video falsely depicts Absa Bank Zambia Managing Director Mizinga Melu promoting a high-return investment scheme. iVerify Zambia’s analysis found strong indicators that the video was AI-generated, while Melu confirmed that she did not make or authorise the video.

AI-generated video falsely depicts Mizinga Melu promoting fake investment scheme

A viral video falsely depicts Absa Bank Zambia Managing Director Mizinga Melu promoting a high-return investment scheme. iVerify Zambia’s analysis found strong indicators that the video was AI-generated, while Melu confirmed that she did not make or authorise the video.

15/09/2026

Press Statement

Lusaka, 15th September 2026: On International Day of Democracy, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) reaffirms that democracy is strengthened when citizens can access information, participate meaningfully in public affairs and hold those entrusted with public power accountable.

International Day of Democracy: Protecting the information foundations of democracy, open governance

Press Statement Lusaka, 15th September 2026: On International Day of Democracy, Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) reaffirms that democracy is strengthened when citizens can access information, participate meaningfully in public affairs and hold those entrusted with public power accountable. Dem...

15/09/2026

A viral social media claim alleges that 1,180 Tonse Alliance and opposition supporters are being held in police custody in Lusaka on politically motivated charges. iVerify Zambia found no verifiable evidence to substantiate the figures or the alleged political motivation. The Zambia Police Service has also clarified that it did not issue or confirm the figures circulating online.

Unproven: No evidence that 1,180 opposition supporters are in Police custody

15/09/2026

A video shared on Facebook falsely claims to show the brother of UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe beating Zambian airport officials. iVerify Zambia found that the footage actually shows Gabonese MP Augustin Lobelle Yembi in an altercation with a RwandAir employee at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda on 3 September 2026.

Kigali Airport altercation video involving Gabonese MP falsely linked to Mark Simuuwe’s brother

A video shared on Facebook falsely claims to show the brother of UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe beating Zambian airport officials. iVerify Zambia found that the footage actually shows Gabonese MP Augustin Lobelle Yembi in an altercation with a RwandAir employee at Kigali International Airport in R...