NUST FAKE GRADUATION FIASCO: four arrested

B-Metro Reporter

FOUR crafty con artists who thought they could cash in on NUST’s big day have been nailed after peddling fake graduation invitation cards to unsuspecting parents.
Carol Tinotenda Makadzange (28), Ike Marcus Chinyuku (26), Rudo Joyce Kavande (27), and Mqondisi Mlilo (27) were convicted by the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court after being caught red-handed at the National University of Science and Technology graduation ceremony on 3 October 2025.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the quartet printed and sold counterfeit NUST graduation cards “with the intent of defrauding parents and guardians attending the university’s graduation ceremony.”
Their scam unraveled when an undercover police officer bought one of the bogus cards for US$10 from Makadzange, who quickly implicated her partners in crime. A follow-up search led to the recovery of 197 fake invitation cards, US$310, ZAR700 in cash, and a desktop computer used in the production of the fraudulent documents.

“The court found all four guilty and imposed a fine of US$350 each or seven months imprisonment in default of payment,” said the NPAZ. “An additional three months imprisonment was suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. All seized articles were forfeited to the State.”

The NPAZ reminded the public that “academic events and institutions must be protected from fraudsters who prey on public excitement.”
As the graduation season heats up, the conviction serves as a sharp warning to anyone thinking of turning milestones into money-making scams.