Zimbabwe battles surge in fake academic certificates

Zimbabwe's education sector is once again under scrutiny as the market for fake academic qualifications grows, exposing loopholes in institutional systems and rising desperation among citizens seeking jobs.

The issue revives memories of the 2014 scandal involving the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), when former First Lady Grace Mugabe controversially received a doctorate under unclear circumstances. The incident led to the suspension and arrest of then Vice-Chancellor Levi Nyagura following the 2017 military takeover that ousted former President Robert Mugabe.

Today, ordinary citizens - far removed from political power - are increasingly resorting to illicit means to obtain academic documents. A NewsDay investigation has revealed a thriving black market where forged certificates for Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations and university degrees are being sold openly.

A fake Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Ordinary Level certificate costs US$400, while an Advanced Level qualification is priced at US$500. Buyers can reportedly receive their documents within three days. University degree certificates are also on offer - with a Midlands State University (MSU) qualification allegedly costing US$500, a National University of Science and Technology (Nust) certificate US$600, and a UZ undergraduate certificate US$800.

To test the scheme, a NewsDay reporter posed as a potential customer seeking an O-Level certificate. After submitting personal details, the document was delivered via WhatsApp on a view-once setting, followed by a demand for payment through EcoCash. The seller warned that failure to pay would result in the certificate being removed from the Zimsec system.

Despite such claims, Zimsec spokesperson Nicholette Dlamini dismissed the possibility of unauthorised system access, insisting that their certificates are secure and verifiable. She said fraudsters may produce counterfeit documents, but cannot manipulate the examinations database.

"Our original certificate has never been cloned," Dlamini said. "We offer verification services to flush out fraudulent certificates."

However, rising demand - largely driven by unemployment and stiff competition in the labour market - continues to fuel the illegal trade. Some individuals interviewed said the practice has become normalised, citing high-profile controversies as justification.

Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Amon Murwira condemned the practice, describing it as criminal and punishable by law. He maintained that no one should possess certificates for skills they have not earned.

Concerns over system vulnerabilities persist. In one known breach in 2021, UZ student Martin Magomana illegally accessed the university's network and allocated accommodation to students, making US$3 000 in the process.

UZ Vice-Chancellor Paul Mapfumo said the institution has since introduced new-design certificates with enhanced security features to curb counterfeiting. He said the old certificate format previously mimicked by forgers had been replaced to strengthen authentication.

"We changed a lot of features to address the scandal of fake certificates," Mapfumo said. "We are not feeling that risk anymore."

He encouraged employers to verify credentials through official channels to protect the integrity of the country's qualifications.

As the cost-of-living crisis worsens and job scarcity persists, Zimbabwe's education system now faces a credibility test - one that pits desperation against institutional trust. With syndicates operating in the shadows and customers willing to pay, the battle against counterfeit qualifications may intensify unless enforcement and verification strengthen further.