Zimbabwe News

Walter Magaya’s academic qualifications under investigation after alleged diploma forgery

Controversial preacher and businessman Walter Magaya, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD Ministries) and owner of Yadah Stars, is facing serious allegations of forging his academic qualifications after submitting a questionable University of South Africa (UNISA) diploma to the High Court last week. The submission was intended to support his claim of tertiary education, but it has sparked doubts and concerns, leading to accusations of potential fraud.

The allegations were brought to light by UK-based Zimbabwean journalist Maynard Manyowa, who took the initiative to investigate Magaya’s educational claims. Manyowa contacted UNISA directly to verify whether Magaya had indeed obtained any qualifications from the institution. In a response from UNISA’s press office, it was revealed that there is no record of Magaya having attended the university. “Kindly be advised that based on the details you provided, our system could not trace either a student number or date of birth for Mr. Magaya,” read the university’s response, dated January 28, 2025. “This effectively means that we do not have Mr. Magaya as a student of UNISA.”

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Walter Magaya’s claim of having tertiary qualifications became a key issue in December 2024, when he was disqualified from running as a presidential candidate for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA). One of the requirements for those aspiring to hold the influential football position was proof of having completed an Ordinary Level (O’ Level) certificate, which Walter Magaya failed to provide. This disqualification led him to approach the High Court, where he argued that his lack of an O’ Level certificate was inconsequential, citing his alleged academic credentials as sufficient for the post.

To bolster his case, Walter Magaya submitted three diplomas in Marketing and Theology, supposedly obtained from UNISA. However, questions surrounding his inability to produce an O’ Level certificate raised concerns about how he could have enrolled in and graduated from the renowned institution. This inconsistency led to increased scrutiny of his academic background, especially in light of the new allegations of forged documentation.

In response to the growing controversy, Walter Magaya has yet to comment publicly on the claims, and attempts to contact his spokesperson, Admire Mango, have been unsuccessful. Mango, the CEO of Yadah, did not respond to inquiries sent via mobile phone and did not pick up calls when attempts were made to reach him for clarification regarding the situation.

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The question of Walter Magaya’s academic credentials has now become a significant point of contention, with many wondering how a figure of such prominence in both religious and business circles could be involved in such a scandal. Magaya’s influence, particularly in Zimbabwe’s religious and football spheres, has always been substantial, and his claims of academic qualification were previously accepted at face value. However, the recent revelations have cast doubt on his credibility and sparked a wider conversation about transparency and honesty in the public eye.

The development has also raised concerns about the state of higher education in Zimbabwe and beyond. Institutions like UNISA are highly regarded across the continent, and the idea that someone might attempt to falsify their qualifications to further their career is deeply troubling. The controversy surrounding Walter Magaya has prompted many to question the integrity of academic institutions and whether more stringent checks and balances need to be put in place to prevent such fraudulent activity from taking place.

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At this stage, it remains to be seen how the legal system will handle the accusations against Walter Magaya. While the court may ultimately rule on the matter regarding his disqualification from the ZIFA presidential race, the ongoing questions about his academic credentials could have a lasting impact on his reputation, particularly among his followers and business associates.

As for Walter Magaya, this scandal is likely to follow him for some time, casting a shadow over his numerous ventures and potentially diminishing the trust he has built with his supporters. Whether he can recover from these allegations and restore his credibility remains uncertain. In the meantime, the controversy continues to unfold, with more developments expected as investigations into his academic claims progress.

In other news – Big Zulu recovering well after car accident

South African rapper Big Zulu has been discharged from the hospital following a car accident that occurred on Sunday. The popular artist, known for his impactful contributions to the music scene, was involved in a serious crash with his BMW, which initially left fans and the public concerned for his well-being.

Inkabi Records, Big Zulu’s record label, took to social media to update fans on his condition after the accident. In a post shared soon after the incident, the label expressed its gratitude for the overwhelming support and love received from fans and the public. Read More

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