Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A 50-YEAR-OLD man who drew the nation’s attention after he forged Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec) certificates for prominent businessman and politician, Mr Gift Banda, has been convicted and sentenced to serve 420 hours of community service.
Anele Sipho Zikhali from Claremont suburb was granted bail when he appeared at the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Courts two years ago and was not asked to plead, to allow investigations to be carried out to tie up the loose ends. Since the commission of the crime, his matter has been on remand.
Zikhali eventually appeared last Friday before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate, Mr Temba Chimiso, and pleaded guilty to all three counts of forgery.
Mr Chimiso sentenced him to 18 months in prison. However, six months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within a period of five years.
The remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he performs 420 hours of community service at Waterford Primary School.
Zikhali, who has been represented by more than four lawyers, was on the day of sentencing represented by Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Company and Attorneys.
In mitigation, Mr Madzivire asked Zikhali’s wife to take to the stand, and she said: “We have five children and Zikhali is the only breadwinner. I’m not working. The children and I solely rely on him for survival.
“If he is given a custodial sentence, the children will drop out of school and we will all suffer.”
Mr Madzivire concluded mitigation by stating: “He pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time and resources. He is a first-time offender and we plead for the court’s leniency.”
In aggravation, Prosecutor Mr Samuel Mpofu said: “A fine or community service will trivialise this matter. Zimsec documents used to facilitate forgery are State documents and this offence therefore ruins the reputation of Zimsec.
“Moreover, the conduct of the accused discredits our education system. Citizens who fail their Ordinary Levels are being assisted by people like Zikhali to acquire forged Zimsec certificates. I pray for a custodial sentence to send a message to like-minded people,” said Mr Mpofu.
The State’s case was that in 2024 and at Claremont, Bulawayo, Zikhali forged a Zimsec Ordinary Level certificate for Banda, reflecting that he sat for Zimsec Ordinary Level in November 1986.
Detectives from the Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU) received a tip-off and swooped on him, leading to his arrest.
“During his arrest, the detectives recovered the Ordinary Level certificate and an Itel cellphone, HP laptop — the gadgets he used to commit the crime,” said Mr Mpofu.
Banda could not be put on trial because the key witness who was supposed to testify could not come to court as she was said to be seriously ill. As such, the matter was placed off remand.
