Fake news report links Ukraine's Zelenskiy to South Africa mine
By Soofia in Sydney
WHAT WAS CLAIMED : Ukraine's President Zelenskiy purchased a stake in a South African mine.
OUR VERDICT : The claim is based on a fake news report.
A South African broadcaster has not reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy invested in a platinum mining company, despite claims online.
The claim is based on a fabricated news report.
It's being shared widely across social media, including by users based in Pacific nations.
"BREAKING: Ukrainian President"Zelensky just purchased a stake in one of the biggest platinum mining companies in South Africa – Northam Platinum...price ... around $1.6B," a Facebook post reads, from an account that appears to be based in Papua New Guinea.
"Where'd he get the cash? Asking for a friend."
The post includes an image of a South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) report with the caption reading: "Zelenskyy headed for state visit to SA."
The image is a screenshot from a video that appeared on Russian news sites and has been shared by other users on X, Facebook and TikTok.
"He has purchased a controlling stake in Northam Platinum LTD, one of South Africa's leading platinum mining companies," the voiceover says (timestamp 11 seconds).
"Sources close to the transaction confirm that Zelenskiy, through a network of holding companies, secured a 51 per cent stake in Northam Platinum."
A reverse image search of key scenes in the video reveals the footage is compiled from various sources.
The opening clip of Zelenskiy and his wife Olena Zelenska disembarking a plane matches an AFP News Agency video published on June 6, 2024, capturing the couple's arrival in France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The handshake between Zelenskiy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa matches a video on the government's official YouTube channel (0:13).
The clip was recorded during a meeting in New York on September 19, 2023, according to South African news website TimesLIVE.
An interview with a mine worker is included at the end, but it shows key signs of being created using artificial intelligence, as the voice does not always match lip movements.
SABC News confirmed the video is not authentic.
"SABC News distances itself from the publication and distribution of fake news," the organisation said in an X post.
Complaints and compliance editor Janet Whitton also confirmed the viral video is fake.
"We can categorically confirm that this is not a story from SABC News, and as far as we are aware it has no basis in fact," she told Logically Facts.
Northam Platinum, which produces platinum and other precious metals, said Zelenskiy has not purchased a stake in the firm.
Sherilee Lakmidas, a spokesperson for the company, said the claim is "fake news".
"Northam confirms that our shareholding remains unchanged," she told AAP FactCheck.
AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, BlueSky, TikTok and YouTube.
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