HARARE - A senior police officer in Harare yesterday said police were now trying to establish the source of the rumour of that Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono Harare is awash with rumours that Dr Gono died in a car crash on Wednesday and the news was picked up by a UK-based online publication and blogs who have been running the story without verification.
The reports said the RBZ boss was involved in an accident while travelling from Chiredzi.
The state media Herald interviewed Dr Gono on Thursday night and expressed shock at the reports.
Speaking from his home where he was watching the Fifa World Cup match between the Netherlands and Cameroon, Dr Gono said: “I am shocked to hear that. I am okay and I am at home watching a soccer match with my family.
“I never even had a tyre puncture or stopped anywhere on the road.
“Why do people wish me bad things?”
He even gave his mobile phone to his wife and his 10-year-old son to confirm that he was fine and at home.
Yesterday, Dr Gono said he was shocked to see the story on the Internet while applauding The Herald for not running the false story yesterday.
“I have just been reading on the Internet about my purported death.
“Just as well you didnt run the false story,” Dr Gono said.
The Zim Diaspora.com was also inundated with calls from across the world inquiring whether Dr Gono had actually died. This was after the UK based Zimbabwean on-line publication had unjournalistically and recklessly published the false story claiming Gone was dead.
For someone masquerading as journalist and the just publish news without verifying its a travesty to journalism which calls for the need of journalism training. It is a clear sign that this online publication (named) is being run by someone who needs training, said Themba Nkala a journalism lecturer.
Post published in: News