Fact Check: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acquired a 51% stake in Northam Platinum Ltd., a leading South African platinum mining company, for an estimated $1.6 billion.

Fact Check: "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acquired a 51% stake in Northam Platinum Ltd., a leading South African platinum mining company, for an estimated $1.6 billion."

What We Know

Recently, a claim circulated on social media asserting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had purchased a 51% stake in Northam Platinum Ltd., a prominent South African platinum mining company, for approximately $1.6 billion. This claim was primarily disseminated through a fabricated video that mimicked a news report from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and included various archival footage and manipulated audio. The video falsely stated that Zelensky's acquisition was surrounded by controversy and included comments from purported mine workers expressing concern (AFP Fact Check, Reuters).

The video in question was widely shared on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, garnering significant attention. However, it was quickly identified as a product of disinformation, with several fact-checking organizations confirming its inaccuracy (Myth Detector, Tech ARP). Notably, the SABC explicitly distanced itself from the video, labeling it as fake news and confirming that no such report was ever published (AFP Fact Check).

Analysis

The claim that President Zelensky acquired a stake in Northam Platinum is unfounded and has been debunked by multiple credible sources. Northam Platinum's representatives confirmed that the company has not undergone any changes in ownership, stating, "All the media articles, videos, and social media posts claiming that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is acquiring a stake in Northam Platinum are fake news" (Miningmx). Furthermore, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) mandates timely disclosure of any significant changes in shareholding, and no such disclosures have been made regarding Zelensky or any foreign investors acquiring a stake in Northam (Reuters).

The video itself has been analyzed and found to contain signs of manipulation, with AI detection tools indicating that the audio was likely generated artificially (Myth Detector, Lead Stories). The initial claim also referenced a now-retracted article from Zimbabwe's NewsDay, which lacked journalistic attribution and was later replaced with unrelated content (AFP Fact Check). This raises concerns about the reliability of the sources propagating the claim.

In summary, the evidence overwhelmingly indicates that the claim is fabricated, with no credible sources to support it. The SABC, Northam Platinum, and various fact-checking organizations have all confirmed its falsehood.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The assertion that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acquired a 51% stake in Northam Platinum Ltd. for $1.6 billion is demonstrably false. The claim is based on a fabricated video and has been thoroughly debunked by multiple reliable sources, including the company itself and fact-checking organizations. There is no evidence to support the existence of such a transaction, and the claim appears to be part of a broader disinformation campaign.

Sources

1. Fake news report says Zelenskiy bought majority stake in South Africa miner
2. Fabricated news broadcast falsely claims Ukraine's leader bought 51 percent of SA platinum mine
3. Did Zelensky Buy 51% Stake in Northam Platinum for $1.6B?!
4. Disinformation Claiming That Zelenskyy Bought A Platinum Mining Company
5. Fabricated news broadcast falsely claims Ukraine's leader bought 51 percent of SA platinum mine
6. Zelenskyy did NOT buy a platinum mine in South Africa for 1.6 billion dollars
7. Zelenskiy stake in Northam Platinum is fake news
8. Fake: Zelenskyy Buys Controlling Interest in Northam Platinum