Zim woman lands AU job using fake 'O' level certificate

A Zimbabwean woman reportedly landed a job with the African Union after enrolling with the University of South Africa using a fake Ordinary Level certificate.

Mandy Mauyakufa (34) of No.21 Ayambali Estate, Midrand in South Africa, appeared in court for contravening Section 12 of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act Chapter 17/1994.

Mauyakufa was not formally charged when she appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei and she will be back in court on January 28.

Prosecutor Ms Sharon Mashavira told the court that Mauyakufa is employed as a secretary with the AU in South Africa.

It is alleged that Mauyakufa sat for her "O" Level examinations at Queen Elizabeth High School, Harare, in 1996 and failed.

Mauyakufa then allegedly forged an "O" Level certificate misrepresenting that she had passed eight subjects.
In 2011 Mauyakufa allegedly enrolled with the University of South Africa using the fake certificate.

The alleged offence was discovered when the university asked the Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa to confirm the authenticity of Mauyakufa's certificate after suspecting it was fake.

Investigations revealed that the certificate was forged and Mauyakufa was arrested on January 4.