Woman aged 29 from Greendale, Harare, has found herself at the centre of a growing national concern after pleading guilty to forging an Ordinary Level certificate in a bid to gain entry into a nursing training programme.
Tendai Florence Muroiwa, the woman in question, appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo last Friday, where she was formally charged with contravening Section 35(e) of the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Act [Chapter 25:18]. This statute prohibits the possession, use, or presentation of forged academic documents—an offence that carries severe legal consequences.
According to state prosecutor Nomsa Kangara, the incident came to light on May 13 when the woman visited the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) offices to verify the authenticity of her O-Level certificate. The verification was part of a standard vetting process, as she had already been conditionally accepted into a nursing training programme at Chitungwiza General Hospital.
During the routine verification process, ZIMSEC officials identified several red flags on the certificate. Notably, the candidate number and the examination centre code did not correspond with the woman’s personal details. The discrepancies prompted further investigation by ZIMSEC officials, who eventually determined that the certificate bearing her name was originally issued to a different candidate—Keith Ndoro.
“Further verification revealed that the certificate presented under Muroiwa’s name was originally issued to a candidate named Keith Ndoro,” stated Kangara. “The candidate and centre numbers were matched to Ndoro, and the results had been altered to show fake grades under Muroiwa’s name.”
Additionally, the examination grades listed on the document were found to be falsified. ZIMSEC confirmed that the woman’s name was not recorded among the candidates who sat for the November 2015 examinations at Mufakose 1 High School, the examination centre cited on the forged certificate.
Upon the revelation, ZIMSEC reported the matter to law enforcement authorities, leading to the woman’s immediate arrest. She was taken into custody and brought before the courts the same day. During her initial court appearance, she admitted to the charges and did not contest the findings presented by the prosecution.
She is currently being held in custody and is expected to return to court today for a formal plea recording and sentencing.
Woman Admits to Forging O-Level Certificate to Enter Nursing Training Programme
This case has triggered public debate over the growing prevalence of forged academic documents in Zimbabwe, particularly within vital sectors such as healthcare and education. Authorities have repeatedly warned that such practices not only undermine the credibility of national institutions but also pose serious risks to public safety when unqualified individuals assume critical roles.
Education officials and healthcare stakeholders have expressed concern about how forgeries—especially by individuals posing as trained professionals—can severely impact service delivery in high-stakes fields like nursing.
The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council has since reiterated the importance of certificate verification and pledged to tighten procedures. Government officials have also promised to clamp down on forgery through harsher penalties and improved inter-agency coordination.
Legal analysts note that while socio-economic pressure may compel some to commit academic fraud, courts must deliver judgments that uphold the integrity of Zimbabwe’s education system. The case of this woman illustrates how fraudulent attempts to enter vital sectors can erode public trust and endanger lives.
This woman’s story stands as a warning against taking unethical shortcuts to secure employment or training. It also highlights the need for broader access to education and better career guidance, particularly for young women navigating limited opportunities.
As Zimbabwe continues to digitalise and reform its education and healthcare sectors, the government insists that upholding integrity and accountability must be non-negotiable. The sentencing of the woman involved is expected to set a legal precedent and reaffirm the justice system’s commitment to safeguarding professional standards.
Source-Bulawayo24
