A statement (see above-featured image) claiming that Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is accepting applications from people who wish to enter or leave the country has been making the rounds on Whatsapp and Facebook.
The alleged statement indicates that those who wish to leave or enter the country should apply by submitting copies of their passport and residence permits, documents that prove the reason for travel and a letter addressed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, stating the intended date and reason for travel. The applications would supposedly take 3-4 working days to approve, after which they would apparently be forwarded to the Chief Immigration Officer. A telephone number allegedly belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where those looking to travel can apparently call to follow up on the application process, accompanies the statement
Background
According to the United States Embassy in Zimbabwe, entry to Zimbabwe is prohibited except for Zimbabwe nationals and foreigners with a valid residency visa for Zimbabwe. The same travel advisory has been shared by the United Kingdom government.
Information on the US Embassy website states that the government of Zimbabwe first introduced a nationwide lockdown on March 30, as a measure set to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The lockdown was then extended on May 16. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s most recent address on COVID-19 restrictions was held on July 22, introducing a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew.
As of Wednesday 22 July 2020, all Security Services will enforce a dusk-to-dawn curfew set to come into force daily between 1800HRS-0600HRS. Only essential services are exempt from this curfew. pic.twitter.com/C3Fp3vt0se
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Int Trade (@MoFA_ZW) July 21, 2020
Verification
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on August 9 distanced itself from the alleged statement. A post on the ministry’s Twitter account indicated that the statement was not from the ministry. The statement and/or the alleged application process have also not been communicated through any of the official government platforms.
The Ministry dissociates itself from the attached misleading unofficial Statement that's circulating, purporting that it is inviting applications from those travelling out of and into the country. This wasn’t issued by the Ministry. Its fake The public must disregard the Statmt pic.twitter.com/HoMYOFNshK
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Int Trade (@MoFA_ZW) August 9, 2020
Verdict
Claims that Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is inviting applications from those intending to enter or exit the country are false.
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