Maxwell Chikumbutso The Fake Inventor: Fact Checked In A 9 Year Long Investigation
12 January 2025
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Investigative Report: Maxwell Chikumbutso’s Grand Claims and the Truth Behind His “Inventions”

Maxwell Chikumbutso, a Zimbabwean self-proclaimed inventor, has captivated audiences for nearly a decade with promises of revolutionary technologies. From a free-energy generator to an electric car requiring no charging, and even a helicopter (that flies forever non-stop without refuelling) and drone powered by his purported (non-stop, free energy) breakthroughs, Chikumbutso’s claims have garnered global curiosity. Yet, a deeper investigation reveals a web of inconsistencies and admissions that call into question the validity of his supposed inventions.

The Claims That Captured Attention

Chikumbutso first gained public recognition in 2015 through media coverage of his company, Saith Technologies. He claimed to have developed:
• A generator that produces electricity without conventional fuel.
• An electric car that never requires charging.
• A drone and helicopter powered by his self-described free-energy technology.

These claims, if true, would represent significant scientific breakthroughs, defying known laws of physics and engineering. The demonstrations Chikumbutso staged for media outlets, including the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), showed the alleged technologies in action, further fueling belief in his narrative.

Reality vs. Claims: The Lab Test Admission

Fast forward nearly a decade, and Chikumbutso has failed to deliver on his promises. During a recent interview with ZimEye, he admitted that the electricity generator he demonstrated to movie producers in 2015 was merely a “lab test.” He described the generator as a room-sized apparatus and acknowledged that the electricity it produced was not functional beyond the confines of the demonstration.

“That was a lab test,” Chikumbutso confessed. “It had actual voltage in it, but it was not a fully deployable system.”

Similarly, he admitted that the helicopter and drone he showcased in 2015 were incapable of real-world use. These technologies, he said, could only be tested indoors under controlled conditions.
“The drone cannot be flown outside; it can only be tested in a lab. Chinhu chiya (the drone) chinotiremei, handiti, mawona?” he explained, implying that the device’s design is far from practical or deployable.

A Trail of Broken Promises and Inconsistencies
1. Dismantled Prototypes:
Chikumbutso claims that the electric car he demonstrated in 2015 was dismantled shortly afterward, leaving no trace of its existence.
“I cannot produce the car because I dismantled it,” he told ZimEye.
2. Unusable Helicopter and Drone:
Despite media footage showing these devices in operation, Chikumbutso admitted they cannot be flown outdoors or function beyond controlled lab conditions.
3. No Tangible Products:
When pressed to demonstrate even the simplest functioning product, Chikumbutso conceded that he had nothing to show or  demonstrate.
4. Alleged Poisoning and Distraction:
Rather than offering technical explanations for his stalled projects, Chikumbutso frequently discusses alleged poison attacks against him. He claims that African inventors like himself are targeted for defying conventional science. However, his contemporaries, such as William Sachiti and Elon Musk, have made measurable progress in their fields without similar claims of sabotage.
5. Questionable Associations:
Chikumbutso has spent considerable time meeting with political figures he claims want to kill him who include Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, as well as controversial religious leaders like Uebert Angel and Emmanuel Makandiwa. These associations have done little to advance his technological ventures and have instead raised suspicions about his priorities.

Chikumbutso’s Admissions: A Turning Point?

Towards the end of the interview, Chikumbutso acknowledged the gaps in his work and the criticism he faces. Speaking to ZimEye, he said (recording):

“I hear you, Mkoma Simba. Let me try to fix that. There are things we take lightly. Let me correct that and then later I will call you to say, Mkoma Simba, come and see so that we can do a peer review.”

This admission marked a rare moment of humility, suggesting that even Chikumbutso recognizes the need for accountability and transparency.

Conclusion: Science Fiction or Reality?

Maxwell Chikumbutso’s story exemplifies the dangers of unverified claims in the age of viral media. His admissions to ZimEye confirm that his inventions are far from the groundbreaking innovations they were portrayed to be. Instead, they remain incomplete experiments confined to lab conditions or, in some cases, nonexistent altogether.

While Chikumbutso’s vision of advancing African innovation is commendable, his inability to produce tangible results or collaborate with credible scientific peers undermines his credibility. His journey serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring inventors and sponsors alike: in science, results must speak louder than words. Until Maxwell Chikumbutso can demonstrate functional, peer-reviewed technologies, his claims will remain firmly rooted in the realm of speculation and unfulfilled potential.- ZimEye