Staff Reporter

The Government has corrected the falsehoods published by the Newsday on 29 August 2022, headlined “Govt in shock migration admission.”

Speaking through a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Spokesperson, Livit Mugejo said that the report published by Newsday was based on a meeting that never happened.

“The report published by Newsday is based on a meeting that never happened and does not represent Government position. It is unfortunate that the paper is pushing misleading information which is not based on facts, but rather a generalized view without consultation of the relevant Authorities,” said Mugejo.

The article claimed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Frederick Shava admitted that Zimbabweans depend on earnings from the diaspora for a living because the local economy is in a crisis. It further claimed that Minister Shava admitted that Zimbabwe was working closely with South Africa in its decision to deport Zimbabweans living in that country when the Zimbabwe Special Exemption Permits expire in December.

Mugejo highlighted that there were no such statements made by the Honorable Minister as suggested in the report. He stated that they were just rampant speculations by media houses regarding the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits in South Africa which were due to expire in December 2022, and are largely a cause for those false reports and claims.

He further urged the media to verify their facts before publishing.

“The Ministry would like to urge the media to verify their stories before publishing so that they do not misinform the public and cause unnecessary anxiety,” he said.

The report alleged that Minister Shava made these admissions while addressing delegates during a courtesy call by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Chairperson Elasto Mugwadi to his office.