Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
TWO men’s dreams of joining the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) went up in smoke after they were caught using fake Ordinary Level certificates during recruitment at Imbizo Barracks in Bulawayo.
Takudzwa Maphosa (21) and Prosper Chikakase (20) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Maxwell Ncube, charged with presenting forged certificates to a prospective employer. The duo pleaded not guilty.
Takudzwa tried to play innocent, claiming his papers were legit. “I wrote my O-Levels in 2021 and that is my real certificate,” he told the court. “If there’s any mistake, it’s Zimsec’s, not mine.”
Prosper also denied any wrongdoing, saying he was “shocked” when he got a call from a Zimsec official accusing him of forgery. “Next thing, the police came for me,” he said. In the face of overwhelming evidence, their excuses didn’t fool anyone. The court heard that on 8 October this year, Takudzwa walked into Imbizo Barracks proudly waving his “O-Level pass slip” hoping to impress army recruiters. Suspicious officials decided to verify the results with Zimsec, and the truth hit like a grenade, the certificate was fake.
Not long after, Prosper’s case followed a similar trail. He had applied earlier this year, and when Zimsec checked his details in September, it was the same story, forged papers!
Zimsec’s Patience Ganya reported both incidents to police, leading to the pair’s arrest.
Magistrate Ncube remanded the two in custody for continuation of trial, noting that academic fraud is a growing menace that undermines integrity in national recruitment.
Their once bright dreams of wearing army fatigues now lie in tatters, traded for handcuffs and court benches.
