The account @zanu_pf was cited by Today programme and referred to as official by BBC World, for which it apologised

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The BBC and other news organisations have quoted an apparent parody Twitter account in their reporting of the military takeover in Zimbabwe.

BBC Radio 4’s Today programme referred to the @zanu_ pf account, which claimed to represent Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party, and it was quoted as a source in BBC breaking news alerts and on the broadcaster’s website.

Tweets from @zanu_pf quoted on the flagship news show included: “There was no coup, only a bloodless transition which saw corrupt and crooked persons being arrested and an elderly man who had been taken advantage of by his wife being detained. The few bangs that were heard were from crooks who were resisting arrest, but they are now detained.”

The Today presenter Nick Robinson told listeners the programme did not know who was in control of the Twitter account and urged caution.

BBC World News later apologised for referring to it as the official account of Zanu-PF. In a tweet, BBC World said: “Earlier we mistakenly described @zanu_pf as the official account of Zimbabwe’s ruling party Zanu-PF. We are sorry for any confusion.”

In 2013 the account was described in South African media as a straightforward parody. However, those behind it have not been identified, and neither has their connection to Zanu-PF.

In the past, the account has criticised eating eggs Benedict for breakfast and expressed a dislike for hipsters.

In August 2014 it said: “Never, fellow African, start a day with the imperialist and devilish eggs Benedict.”

A tweet from the account in January 2015 said: “If hipsters are allowed, how will the families survive? Hipsters cannot produce children, it is unnatural and sinful.”

Zanu-PF officials have tried to track down who is behind the account. Psychology Maziwisa, a spokesman for the party, said on Twitter in 2013: “Whoever is running the Twitter handle @zanu_pf please contact me urgently, will you? You’re not in any trouble at all!”

It has more than 50,000 followers, while an account called @ZANUPF_Official has fewer than 10,000.

On Wednesday, @zanu_pf declared its loyalty to Emmerson Mnangagwa, the former vice-president who was sacked last week, and said: “This account will either be quiet or present the views of Zanu-PF and comrade Mnangagwa. Hence forth consider this official. To respond to concerns from media, this account will report to EM. It is not controlled by a faction.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “BBC News is including appropriate health warnings when referencing it. It’s a developing story so we are also using information from our correspondents and other trusted news sources.”