Staff Reporter

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has dismissed as false, claims by activist and Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono that a railway line had been stolen in Zimbabwe and accusing former NRZ workers of having a hand in the theft.

Chin’ono on his Twitter handle posted images of the stolen railway line, allegedly from South Africa, claiming it was in Zimbabwe.

“When a railway line goes missing, it is because someone who has worked for NRZ has been involved in my view. Now the main question is why would a railway line be stolen? What do they use it for? Do they smelt it through melting? I am confused as why this would happen,” posted Chin’ono.

Responding to Chin’ono’s tweet, NRZ on its Twitter handle posted, “The NRZ would like to set the record straight on the viral visual picture of stolen railway line. NRZ has got no section of its network with that missing rail in Zimbabwe. We challenge the original sender of the visual or you Mr Chin’ono to tell us the place or site.

“NRZ has got track patrolman who patrol our network at every instance and what is clear is that this is a fabrication or Photoshop to tarnish the NRZ family image and reputation. We call upon you Mr Chin’ono to feel free to confirm with us before publishing.

NRZ says it was very sad that journalists who are expected to be responsible and promoters of development through penning factual stories are the same ones who are peddling lies for their supper.

Beginning of this year, Chin’ono was arrested for spreading falsehoods on social media, claiming that a Police officer had killed a baby on her mother’s back in Harare.  He was charged under section 31 of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act) which deals with publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State.