Woman forges 0' Level certificate

A 46-YEAR-OLD woman from Chitungwiza has admitted to faking an Ordinary Level certificate which earned her a place to study for a degree in Marketing Management with the Midlands State University.

Memory Zambuko admitted to manufacturing an 0' Level certificate to appear as if she passed the 1989 November examinations and later used it to apply for a place to study at MSU.

She told magistrate Barbra Mateko that she had to forge the certificate in a bid to fend for her family.

Memory added she was a single mother who was finding it difficult to survive without employment.

However, Magistrate Mateko slapped her with a US$100 fine for violating the Zimbabwe School Examination Act chapter 25:18. The 46-year-old also risks being jailed for 30 days if she fails to pay the fine. Prosecutor Tarisai Gwatidzo had it that on January 12 this year Memory went to MSU where she applied for a place to study for a degree in Marketing Management. She then presented her forged certificate along with other particulars which earned her a place at the university. The certificate showed that she had attained a Bin English Language, C in History, Din Geography, B in Shona, Bin Mathematics, Science B, Foods and Nutrition B and a D in Principles of Accounts.

Verifications with ZIMSEC by MSU officials revealed that Memory attained grade E in English, U in History, D Geography, B in Shona, U in Mathematics, Science E, Fashion and Fabrics C and a B in Commerce.

Sithengesiwe Siniwa, an administrator with MSU, lodged a complaint with the police leading to Memory's arrest.