Claim
On April 7, 2024, a short 18-second video depicting a stationary Zambian train was shared on social media by former Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba, on his Facebook page. Titled “Awe sure ba Zambia Railway!”, the video features a narrator claiming, “It’s only in Zambia where the train runs out of fuel. Only in Zambia where the train runs out of fuel.” The shared video sparked widespread speculation and mixed reactions online, garnering over 2,200 likes, 735 comments, and 205 shares. Many viewers questioned the management of the railway system in response to the video’s content.
Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) is a state-owned company through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of the Republic of Zambia
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia has determined the claim in a video circulating on social media that a Zambian Railways Limited train ran out of fuel at the south-end of Kitwe Railway station yard, as misleading
In a Press Release issued Sunday, April 7th, 2024 by Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) on their Facebook page, the Public Relations Manager, Ms. Sombe Longwani Ng’onga, categorically stated that the company had not recorded any such incident. She further emphasized that the claim in the video was entirely fabricated, baseless, and misleading.
ZRL clarified that the video depicted a normal shunting movement, not a train out of fuel. A SHUNTING MOVEMENT is the process of moving railway wagons within a rail yard or station or between different tracks. This process involves organizing, assembling, or disassembling trains, as well as loading or offloading cargo. During a shunting movement, a locomotive or shunting engine is used to push or pull the wagons into the desired positions.
ZRL urged the public to be cautious when consuming content shared on social media.
