SABC Did Not Report Zelensky Bought Stake in Northam Platinum

A viral video falsely claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy purchased a 51% stake in South African mining company Northam Platinum, citing SABC News as the source. But here’s the truth: no such report aired on SABC, and the video uses AI-generated audio to fabricate a fake news segment.

What the Fake Video Claims

The video, which began circulating on X (formerly Twitter) on April 4, 2025, features a voiceover alleging that Zelenskyy has acquired a controlling stake in Northam Platinum for around R27 billion ($1.6 billion). It also mentions an upcoming visit to South Africa on April 10, implying a connection between the visit and the supposed acquisition.

In case you were wondering how your tax dollars are being spent – Zelensky just purchased a 51% stake in one of the biggest platinum mining companies in South Africa – Northam Platinum.

The price is believed to be around $1.6B. Zelensky will be visiting South Africa on April… pic.twitter.com/QYHpK91xKP

— Johnny Midnight (@its_The_Dr) April 4, 2025

The voiceover adds dramatic flair, quoting a miner allegedly interviewed at Zondervin Platinum Mine, who refers to “Valdemar Vilensky” — a mispronunciation of the Ukrainian president’s name — suggesting even this quote was manufactured or misunderstood.

Here’s What’s Actually True

• A search of SABC News’ website, YouTube channel, and official social media accounts revealed no such report.

• The most recent stories mentioning Northam Platinum on these platforms date back to 2023 — and none involve Zelenskyy.

• AI detection tools, including DeepFake-o-Meter and Hiya’s browser extension, confirmed the voiceover was likely AI-generated.

• There is no evidence of Zelenskyy or any Ukrainian-linked company acquiring shares in Northam Platinum.

• The supposed miner’s comment appears poorly scripted or AI-generated, further discrediting the video.

Why This Matters

In an era where AI technology can mimic real people’s voices and create realistic-looking news reports, disinformation is becoming harder to detect. This video not only misleads the public, but also threatens media credibility and sows confusion about foreign investment and geopolitical relations in South Africa.

It’s especially concerning that this video falsely associates Zelenskyy’s possible diplomatic visit with a multi-billion rand business deal — a move likely designed to stir public unrest and political suspicion.

There is no evidence that President Zelenskyy bought a stake in Northam Platinum or that SABC News ever reported on such a transaction. The circulating video is a well-crafted deepfake designed to mislead. Always verify the source of such explosive claims, especially when they appear without links to credible media outlets.

The South African public deserves facts — not fabrications.

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