Engineering Council cracks down after viral 'engineer' video

The Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ) has moved swiftly to protect the integrity of the engineering profession following the circulation of a viral social media video that exposed what the regulator described as a blatant case of impersonation involving the misuse of a protected professional title.

In a strongly worded public notice, the statutory body warned that the designation "Engineer" is not a casual or honorary label, but a legally protected professional title reserved strictly for individuals who are duly qualified, registered and compliant with Zimbabwean law.

The statement follows the widespread sharing of a video in which an individual allegedly presented himself to the public as an engineer without the requisite legal standing.

According to the ECZ, the individual featured in the video is Mr Laston Machengo of Roy Eno Solar Tech, who is accused of masquerading as an engineer in contravention of the Engineering Council Act [Chapter 27:22].

The council said the incident prompted decisive action to uphold professional standards and protect the public from risks associated with unregulated and unqualified engineering practice.

Citing Part VI, Section 33(1) of the Act, the ECZ stressed that no person other than a registered engineer is permitted to hold themselves out as an engineer or to use any title, description or initials that imply registration, whether through advertising, documentation or public representation.

"The law is explicit and leaves no room for ambiguity," the council said, warning that penalties for violating the Act are severe.

Under Section 33(3), offenders — as well as individuals or organisations that knowingly engage or accept services from unregistered persons — face a fine of up to Level Eight, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

"Resultantly, ECZ is proceeding to lay charges against the culprit in terms of the statutory provisions of the law governing the practice of engineering in Zimbabwe," the council said, confirming that formal legal action is now underway.

Beyond the individual case, the ECZ framed the development as a broader warning to would-be impostors, cautioning that the abuse of professional titles undermines public trust, endangers lives and devalues the work of legitimately trained engineers who have met rigorous academic, technical and ethical standards.

The council urged members of the public, businesses and institutions to always verify the registration status of anyone claiming to be an engineer before engaging their services.