Fake certificate cases flood courts

Zimbabwe's judiciary is grappling with a disturbing rise in cases involving forged academic certificates, with authorities warning that the crisis has now extended to the most basic levels of education, including primary school qualifications.

The revelations emerged during the Transparency International Zimbabwe Integrity School graduation ceremony held recently in Harare, where Prosecutor General Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo sounded the alarm over the growing prevalence of fake qualifications across the country.

"We are handling more and more cases involving forged certificates – even at Grade 7 level," Justice Matanda-Moyo said. "It's shocking, but the pressure to appear successful is pushing people to dishonest extremes."

Her remarks exposed the extent of a deep-rooted social problem - the obsession with academic achievement as the only acceptable route to success. Justice Matanda-Moyo said this mindset was fueling fraudulent behaviour, particularly among youths desperate to prove themselves in a challenging economic environment.

"Not everyone is academic - and that's okay. Some are doing exceptionally well in areas like farming, mining, and other hands-on trades," she noted. "You don't need a degree to be a millionaire. If you fail, rewrite. Don't forge."

The Prosecutor General's message went beyond condemning forgery - it was a call for a national rethink of how success is defined. She urged Zimbabweans to recognise the value of vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and practical trades that often fall outside traditional academic frameworks.

Her warning comes in the wake of a recent scandal at Mpilo Central Hospital, where several student nurses were found to have gained admission using fake Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) certificates. The revelation sparked public outrage and raised concerns about the competence of future health professionals in critical national institutions.

Justice Matanda-Moyo encouraged the youth and job seekers to resist the temptation of shortcuts, emphasizing that integrity is more valuable than credentials obtained dishonestly.

"Let's stop pushing people into careers that don't suit them. Follow your passion - it's the honest way to succeed, and it protects your future," she urged.

Although she did not directly touch on the ongoing controversy surrounding fake doctoral degrees - an issue that has drawn attention to the integrity of some public figures - her remarks added weight to the broader debate over qualification fraud in Zimbabwe's education and employment systems.

The spread of counterfeit academic titles has prompted calls for tighter regulation, stronger verification mechanisms, and stiffer penalties for offenders.

Justice Matanda-Moyo's remarks serve as a stern reminder that true success cannot be built on deception, urging Zimbabweans to pursue hard work, honesty, and ethical conduct as the foundation of personal and national progress.

As economic challenges persist and competition for limited job opportunities intensifies, the Prosecutor General's appeal underscores the urgent need for a cultural shift toward valuing authenticity and diverse pathways to achievement - a message many believe could restore confidence in the country's education and professional sectors.