News of political figure Robert Mugabe’s death spread quickly earlier this week.
However the January 2014 report has now been confirmed as a hoax. The Zimbabwean president is alive and well.
Rumors of the political figure’s alleged demise gained traction on Wednesday after a ‘R.I.P. Robert Mugabe’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Zimbabwean political figure’s passing:
“At about 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (January 08, 2014), our beloved political figure Robert Mugabe passed away. Robert Mugabe was born on February 21, 1924 in Kutama. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”
Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 89-year-old political figure was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the news.
As the story had not been carried on any major Zimbabwean network, it was revealed as a fake report. The death of a political figure of Robert Mugabe’s stature would be major news across all networks.
On Thursday the political figure’s reps officially confirmed that Robert Mugabe is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He’s still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.
Some fans nevertheless say the hoax proves his extreme popularity across the globe.
It’s been a good year for the former freedom fighter. The 89-year-old Mugabe is the highest-paid political figure in the world, according to People With Money.
He earned an astonishing $46 million between December 2012 and December 2013, a nearly $20 million lead over his closest competition.