Derick Tsimba

Zimbabwe Republic Police have dismissed as false information circulating on social media on alleged criminality in Harare and Bulawayo.

In its press statement the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said it was aware of information on alleged criminal activities that was circulating on social media.

“The ZRP has noted with concern information on alleged criminal acts in Harare and Bulawayo which is circulating among social media groups such as WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook.

“Verification with police establishments in Harare and Bulawayo has revealed that in areas such as Chisipiti, Avondale, Mabelreign, Borrowdale, Rhodesville, Greendale and others, no such reports as indicated on social media have occurred in the last few days,” said ZRP.

Police have urged the members of the public not to be misled by unverified information on social media.

“Police are urging members of the public to cross check and verify the facts from local police concerning criminal movements and reports,” reads the press statement.

The ZRP also said it was aware there are some social media groups created to discuss unverified criminal activities.

“ZRP is aware that there are some social media groups which have been created to discuss crime related issues and it is from such groups that unverified information which is mostly turning out to be false is circulating,” ZRP has said.

The social media was recently awash with unverified information of a spate of criminal acts supposedly committed in the leafy suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo. In one of the audios doing rounds on Whatsapp, six cars were alleged to have been stolen in Greendale. The false information had caused alarm and despondency among the residents.

Such information, a political analyst, Tendai Muzondo said, had a potential to scare away the much sought after investors and tourists.