A message circulating on social media mentioning how Zimbabwe is set to experience a communication blackout from 10 am to 2 pm today (31 August) has been dismissed as false.
The message reads,
PUBLIC NOTICE
POTRAZ would like to advise citizens of Zimbabwe that there shall be a blackout of telecommunication across all network providers as from 1000hrs to 1400hrs on 31 August 2016. This has been necessitated by the continuous and increased abuse of social media by saboteurs who are threatening to unseat a Constitutionally elected Government. Inconvenience caused to law abiding citizens is sincerely regretted. Citizens are reminded that under the Postal and Telecommunication Act it is illegal to post abusive messages and incitement to violence bears prison sentence. For more information visit our website https://www.potraz.gov.zw/
According to officials from POTRAZ, Zimbabwe’s telecoms regulator which is cited as the source for the message, the text, which has been circulating mostly on WhatsApp is false.
Several Zimbabweans are likely to have believed today’s message because of a temporary WhatsApp blackout experienced last month during a nationwide stay away which is similar to the one that has been organised today.
The fact that the people have been facing some challenges accessing the POTRAZ website from the link in the message hasn’t helped the situation either. At the time there was also a statement from the regulator warning citizens against social media abuse.
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Anyone who believed this, is an idiot.