I found something interesting in IVerify - No oil and gas have been discovered in Mwandi Western province

No oil and gas have been discovered in Mwandi Western province


False

Social media claims that oil and gas have been discovered in Mwandi District, Zambia, are false. Through video analysis and Google Reverse Image Search, investigations showed the video has been on the internet since 2016. The video has been shared across YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, and is not about any recent discovery in Mwandi District of Zambia. Besides, the discovery reported is not confirmed by any official report or statement from the government.

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Verified Oct, 23 2024

Claim

On October 19, 2024, a video of a fire on water with a title “Oil and Gas Discovered in Mwandi.” appeared on several social media platforms and individual Facebook pages such as the Patriotic Front Facebook page, Source Televison, Zambia Rock, Mapoma Mweene, Wonani Simpembi and Henry Sianga. The accompanying message alleged that a fire was burning on a stream in Mwandi District in the Western Province of Zambia, as evidence of oil or gas reserves. The video attracted intense reactions from the followers of the platforms. While some followers seemed convinced by the claim, others questioned the authenticity of the video.On October 19, 2024, a video of a fire on water with a title “Oil and Gas Discovered in Mwandi.” appeared on several social media platforms and individual Facebook pages such as the Patriotic Front Facebook page, Source Televison, Zambia Rock, Mapoma Mweene, Wonani Simpembi and Henry Sianga. The accompanying message alleged that a fire was burning on a stream in Mwandi District in the Western Province of Zambia, as evidence of oil or gas reserves. The video attracted intense reactions from the followers of the platforms. While some followers seemed convinced by the claim, others questioned the authenticity of the video.

Rating Justification

iVerify Zambia has determined as false the claim by social media platforms that oil and gas have been discovered in Mwandi District.
Investigations were carried out to verify the authenticity and source of the video using video analysis and Google reverse image. It was discovered that the video has been online since 2016 (https://www.thenewsbite.com/…/blazing-fire-coming-out…) with a caption “Blazing Fire Coming Out the Water and Land Puzzled Netizens”. Since then, the video has been shared on various platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.

This revelation confirms that the video has no original connection to Zambia. Moreover, the social media claims of oil and gas being discovered on a river in Mwandi district are not affirmed by an official report or announcement from the government. Therefore, the claims are false.

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