Zimbabwe’s Fake Degree Factory

Zimbabwe’s Fake Degree Factory

Academic institutions in Zimbabwe have become embroiled in scandals involving the issuance of fake degrees and certificates. This trend, which gained prominence during the era of the late President Robert Mugabe, is still thriving today.

A notorious example was the controversial award of a “fake” doctorate to former First Lady Grace Mugabe by the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in 2014, a scandal that led to the suspension and arrest of then UZ Vice-Chancellor Levi Nyagura following a military coup in 2017.

As the demand for academic qualifications surges amid fierce job competition, ordinary Zimbabweans without political connections are resorting to corrupt practices to obtain these credentials.

Investigation

Investigations by NewsDay have revealed a thriving market for counterfeit academic certificates: a fake Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Ordinary Level certificate sells for US$400, an Advanced Level certificate for US$500, and undergraduate degrees from various universities ranging from US$500 to US$800.

The process is fast and efficient, often taking only three days. Bogus certificate manufacturers pose as insiders with access to educational institutions’ systems, exploiting individuals desperate to bolster their academic profiles and career prospects.

Despite assurances from Zimsec and university officials that their systems are secure, the demand for fake academic qualifications continues to grow, driven by economic desperation and a lack of employment opportunities.

Some Zimbabweans, such as an unemployed youth who witnessed his sister buy a fake Math certificate to secure a teaching position, believe money can buy any credential, regardless of legitimacy.

Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Amon Murwira condemned the sale of fake certificates as a criminal act, emphasizing the importance of genuine qualifications.

Meanwhile, universities like UZ have implemented new certificate designs with enhanced security features to combat the proliferation of fakes.

However, questions remain about the effectiveness of these measures, as incidents like the 2021 case where a UZ student gained unauthorized access to the institution’s network and sold student accommodation for a profit, continue to raise concerns about the integrity of Zimbabwe’s academic systems.

The ongoing challenge highlights the need for more sophisticated methods to detect and deter fraud to maintain the credibility of the nation’s education system. Zimbabwe’s Fake Degree Factory

-NEWSDAY