LOCK THEM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY! Residents demand stiff jail for Zimsec leaks

Sikhumbuzo Moyo

Bulawayo residents have called for a 10-year mandatory jail term for Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) employees found guilty of leaking or facilitating the leaking of examination papers.
The demand was made during a public hearing on the Zimsec Amendment Bill, hosted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education at a city hotel on Wednesday.

Proposing the tough sentence, Sehlile Thebe said leaks could only be traced back to the exam body.
“A question paper cannot suddenly find its way into a teacher’s or learner’s mobile phone. It would have originated from somewhere, and that somewhere is Zimsec. I therefore propose a mandatory 10-year prison sentence for Zimsec officials who are complicit in the leakages,” she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Monalisa Dube, who said the “epicentre” of leakages was the source, not those caught with the material.
“We are not condoning those who spread the papers, but once we close the source, everything will be in order. Investigations must trace the leaks back to Zimsec. I fully support the 10-year sentence — if not more,” she said.

The hearings are being conducted by a parliamentary committee led by Zaka North legislator Ofias Murambiwa, which is covering five provinces — Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central.
With public anger mounting over repeated leaks that have threatened the integrity of public examinations, residents say it’s time to make Zimsec officials pay heavily if found guilty.