Harare Private College stages fake Cambridge exams

Destiny Achievers College in Harare has been rocked by a scandal involving the staging of fake Cambridge Ordinary Level examinations in June this year, affecting at least 16 learners and defrauding their families of over US$11,000 in examination fees.

The private institution, owned by Dr Cynthia Gambiza, allegedly organised a sham exam session after previously embezzling funds meant for the November 2024 Cambridge exams. Students who missed the genuine exams last year were promised a make-up opportunity in June 2025 - only to discover they had been duped again.

The students and their families, many of whom paid between US$600 and US$1,000 in exam and tuition fees, are now stranded, with their academic year in ruins and no official results to show for their efforts. Some had been paying as much as US$650 per term.

Efforts to contact Dr Gambiza have proved fruitless, with her mobile phone going unanswered and the school premises reportedly deserted.

According to multiple parents, students became suspicious during the exam period when they sat for a Mathematics paper that was identical to a past paper they had recently revised - with only the date changed.

"It was shocking. The exact paper they were using to revise came out during the exam," said Mr Piniel Nzvenga, whose child was among the affected. "There were no Cambridge invigilators. 

Nzvenga, who paid US$800 for exam fees, said he has since reported the matter to Borrowdale Police Station. "All I need is justice. My child's academic path has been severely disrupted," he said.

Investigations revealed that the fake exams were conducted at ZDECO College - a separate institution - under the guise of a partnership. However, ZDECO's deputy principal, Mr Madzimure, reportedly confirmed that his school is not a registered Cambridge centre and had only leased a classroom to a woman claiming to need a venue for mock exams.

The British Council, which oversees Cambridge exams in Zimbabwe, confirmed that Destiny Achievers College is not a registered Cambridge centre.

"The school in question is not one of our partner institutions," said Ms Chengetai Mujakachi, British Council's regional communications head for Sub-Saharan Africa. "We have no records of candidates from that school."

The Cambridge website's public registry also does not list Destiny Achievers College as an accredited centre.

The latest revelations come as Dr Gambiza is already facing charges for a similar scam. In January, she appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki accused of defrauding parents of over US$4,000 in exam fees dating back to 2021. In that case, victims like Rachel Munhenga paid up to US$700, only to be informed at the last minute that their children were not registered for the exams.

Parents who had initially refrained from reporting the November 2024 scam - hoping their children would get a second chance in June - now find themselves in the same predicament.

Another affected parent, father of student Clayton Nyamagodo, paid US$1,000 in exam and centre fees. His son reportedly led a student protest after discovering the truth. "I filed a police report under case number RRB 6368544," he said. "We've also reported the matter to the Ministry of Education but have yet to get a meaningful response."

Mai Mazendame, whose son Anotidaishe was also a victim, said she was stunned to receive a call from a school administrator confirming the exams were fake.

"She admitted it and said Mrs Gambiza had collapsed and was taken to hospital. But that doesn't change the fact that our children have lost a year."

Anotidaishe confirmed that the exams started on April 28 and that the venue staff at ZDECO were unaware that actual exams had taken place there. "They were surprised when I told them I had written exams at their school," he said.

Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed receiving related complaints and said police were pursuing the matter.

"There is a similar case involving parents who worked at the school and were promised free exam fees, only to be misled. We are following up with Borrowdale Police Station for more details," Chakanza said.

Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education were unsuccessful. Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro had not responded to inquiries by press time.

As investigations continue, at least 33 students are believed to have been affected by the scam, though some families have quietly moved their children to other schools.

Parents are now appealing to government authorities to urgently intervene and ensure that their children are given the opportunity to sit for legitimate exams in November 2025 - and that those responsible for the fraud are held accountable.