News / National
Woman admits forging O-Level certificate to gain nurse training spot
7 hrs ago | Views
A 29-year-old woman from Greendale, Harare, has pleaded guilty to forging an Ordinary Level certificate in a desperate attempt to secure a place in a nursing training programme.
Tendai Florence Muroiwa appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo on Friday facing charges of violating Section 35(e) of the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Act [Chapter 25:18], which prohibits the use of forged academic certificates.
Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara told the court that on May 13, Muroiwa approached the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) offices to have her O-Level certificate verified. She had already been offered a nursing training place at Chitungwiza General Hospital, pending confirmation of her qualifications.
However, Zimsec officials discovered that the candidate and centre numbers on the certificate belonged to another individual.
"Further verification showed that the certificate bearing Muroiwa's name was originally issued to a candidate named Keith Ndoro," Kangara said.
The examination symbols listed on the document were also found to be falsified, and Zimsec confirmed that Muroiwa's name did not appear in their records as having sat for the November 2015 examinations at Mufakose 1 High School - the centre indicated on the forged certificate.
Following the discovery, Muroiwa was arrested the same day and subsequently brought before the courts. She admitted to the offence during her initial appearance.
Muroiwa is expected back in court today for a formal plea recording and sentencing. She remains in custody pending the court's ruling.
Forgery of academic qualifications has become a growing concern in Zimbabwe, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors where stringent requirements are often bypassed through fraudulent means. Authorities have warned that such offences will be met with stern legal consequences to preserve the integrity of the country's examination system.
Tendai Florence Muroiwa appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo on Friday facing charges of violating Section 35(e) of the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Act [Chapter 25:18], which prohibits the use of forged academic certificates.
Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara told the court that on May 13, Muroiwa approached the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) offices to have her O-Level certificate verified. She had already been offered a nursing training place at Chitungwiza General Hospital, pending confirmation of her qualifications.
However, Zimsec officials discovered that the candidate and centre numbers on the certificate belonged to another individual.
"Further verification showed that the certificate bearing Muroiwa's name was originally issued to a candidate named Keith Ndoro," Kangara said.
The examination symbols listed on the document were also found to be falsified, and Zimsec confirmed that Muroiwa's name did not appear in their records as having sat for the November 2015 examinations at Mufakose 1 High School - the centre indicated on the forged certificate.
Following the discovery, Muroiwa was arrested the same day and subsequently brought before the courts. She admitted to the offence during her initial appearance.
Muroiwa is expected back in court today for a formal plea recording and sentencing. She remains in custody pending the court's ruling.
Forgery of academic qualifications has become a growing concern in Zimbabwe, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors where stringent requirements are often bypassed through fraudulent means. Authorities have warned that such offences will be met with stern legal consequences to preserve the integrity of the country's examination system.
Source - newsday
