PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday frowned at what was
meant to be an April Fools’ Day prank which claimed the Zanu PF leader had
tested positive for the deadly coronavirus.
There were social media reports, apparently meant as a joke
for April Fools Day, that went viral yesterday that Mnangagwa had tested
positive, forcing the party to issue a statement.
Mnangagwa did not see the funny side of the joke.
“Contrary to fake news being spread by the usual nefarious
and faceless characters using fake news sites insinuating the President has
been tested positive to COVID-19, it is imperative to inform the public that
your President is safe, sound and healthy,” a statement from Zanu PF read in
part.
Mnangagwa warned the media against “peddling falsehoods”,
especially around the COVID-19 issue.
“As we enter Day 3 of the 21-day lockdown, be advised to
stay home and be safe. Media houses must be careful of the messages that they
communicate in the name of the April Fools Day, otherwise we distract the
nation from the significant strides we are making in this lockdown period,” he
was quoted as saying.
Mnangagwa declared a 21-day mandatory lockdown which
started on Monday to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
Civic society organisations, however, expressed concern
that government was managing information as the number of COVID-19 cases was
suspected to be higher given that of the more than 16 000 people who arrived in
the country in recent weeks, only 200 had been tested. Newsday
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