3 arrested in fake ZIMSEC certificate manufacturing syndicate

Three Harare men have appeared in court facing charges of operating a sophisticated syndicate that allegedly produced and sold counterfeit Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates.

Takura Maxton Taaziva (40), Pikitai Dzveda (30) and Kurayi Makwarawanda (53) appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court on charges linked to the alleged production and distribution of forged examination certificates.

The three are being charged under Section 35(f) of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act.

According to the State, the alleged scheme began in January this year when Taaziva, a website developer, reportedly circulated messages in WhatsApp groups advertising his ability to generate, edit and alter official ZIMSEC certificates.

He is alleged to have offered the fake certificates at US$50 for soft copies and US$70 for hard copies.

Investigators say the operation was uncovered after a ZIMSEC security loss control manager, Mr James Nyambonde, allegedly posed as a client and requested a fake Ordinary Level certificate with improved grades for a fictitious student.

Taaziva is alleged to have altered a sample certificate and sent it to Dzveda for printing, while Makwarawanda allegedly certified the forged document.

The court heard that Taaziva was arrested in Harare's Central Business District on June 2, after which he allegedly implicated his co-accused.

Police reportedly recovered digital devices used in the production of the fake certificates, along with additional counterfeit documents bearing the name of the fictitious student, Lucia Rutendo Mavhunga.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and the three accused are expected back in court on July 2.