Examination Fraud Scandal — Destiny Achievers College, a private learning institution based in Harare, has come under fire after being implicated in a disturbing fake examination scandal. The school is alleged to have orchestrated a fraudulent June 2024 Cambridge Ordinary Level exam, deceiving 16 unsuspecting students and defrauding parents of more than US$11,000 in examination fees.
The latest revelations follow earlier allegations that the same institution had already misappropriated funds for the November 2023 Cambridge exam sitting. At that time, students were left stranded without sitting their examinations, compromising their entire academic progression. Many of these affected learners were due to transition into Lower Sixth Form this year, but now face serious disruptions to their academic futures due to the college’s actions.
Multiple efforts to reach the college’s proprietor, Cynthia Gambiza, have proved futile. Since the beginning of the week, her mobile phone has gone unanswered, and the school premises appear to have been abandoned. Reports indicate there is no trace of teaching staff or administrative personnel on-site.
Parents and guardians of the affected students, some of whom were paying as much as US$650 per term in tuition, were reportedly charged between US$600 and US$1,000 in examination fees. These payments were collected under the assurance that students would be registered with Cambridge for the official Ordinary Level examinations.
After allegedly misusing the examination fees for the legitimate November 2023 exams, the college reassured parents that their children would instead be accommodated in the June 2024 exam session. But what appeared to be a second chance turned out to be a calculated hoax.
Reputed Private Institution Caught in Fake Examination Controversy
According to several parents and students, the June examinations were fake. Learners were made to sit for a Mathematics paper that was shockingly identical to a past examination they had already used for revision—save for the cover page, where only the date had been altered. There were no official Cambridge invigilators, and the venue used for the exams was not a registered Cambridge exam centre.
One parent, Mr. Piniel Nzvenga, shared his concerns in a WhatsApp group comprising parents of the affected learners.
“I visited the school on Thursday and found it empty. Today I went to ZDECO College, the place where our children allegedly sat for the exams. I met the deputy principal, Mr. Madzimure, who confirmed that the college does not host Cambridge exams. He said a lady had approached them requesting to lease a classroom for mock exams. They had no idea it was being used for a fraudulent purpose,” he explained.
Nzvenga added that students were immediately suspicious when they saw that their Mathematics exam paper matched one they had previously practiced on.
“When they sat down to write, they realized it was the exact same past paper they had used in revision sessions. That’s when doubts started creeping in,” he said.
The absence of proper invigilation raised further concerns. When the students attempted to raise these issues, they were assured that the school principal would address their concerns—only for the principal to disappear completely and cease all communication.
“I paid US$800 for the examination fees alone. I’ve since lodged a report at Borrowdale Police Station, and officers have confirmed that investigations are underway. All I want is justice. My child has been left in academic limbo through no fault of their own,” Nzvenga said.
Another concerned parent shared that his son, Clayton Nyamagodo, led a protest after discovering that the exams were counterfeit. This parent paid US$900 for registration in eight subjects, plus an additional US$100 in centre fees. He too filed a complaint at Borrowdale Police under case number RRB 6368544, only to learn that other reports concerning the same issue had already been registered.
“We’ve also taken this up with the Ministry of Education. Officials asked us to submit a brief written report on what happened. They promised to intervene, but so far, there has been no feedback. Meanwhile, our children remain idle at home, their future uncertain,” he said.
One father revealed that Dr. Gambiza had personally advised him to delay his child’s November 2023 exams to June 2024, claiming the additional time would improve the child’s performance.
“I wasn’t keen on postponing, but Dr. Gambiza said my child needed more time in two subjects and could pass better in one sitting. I trusted her,” he said.
He has since joined other parents in seeking legal and government intervention.
“All we ask is for the authorities to take this seriously. We did our part—we paid the money and followed the school’s instructions. Now we just want accountability and a chance for our children to resume their education. It’s not easy to raise US$800 only to watch it disappear with no results.”
As investigations continue, the silence from Destiny Achievers College and its management only deepens the crisis, leaving families grappling with emotional and financial fallout.
