Perm sec sucked into Hexco scandal

The credibility of the Higher Education Examinations Council is under threat after a top civil servant engaged an automotive precision mechanist to design, install, operationalise and manage the database of all testing of tertiary students.

One person carries the entire exams database on memory sticks, meaning he can leak exams and issue diplomas to anyone.

Previously, a team of ICT officers based at the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development and the Hexco secretariat head office in Harare was in charge of the database.

Documents show that Joyce Mbudzi, the principal of Kwekwe Polytechnic who doubles as acting director for standards development and quality assurance in the Higher Education Ministry, engaged Francis Taivavashe to individually design, install, operationalise and manage the database.

Mbudzi, allegedly with authority from Higher Education Secretary Washington Mbizvo, has been staying in Harare at the Management Training Bureau since 2011 despite being ordered by the Public Service Commission to return to Kwekwe Poly