A 23-year-old student from a local polytechnic college has appeared in court facing charges of fraud after he allegedly created a WhatsApp group with over 900 members to facilitate the leaking of Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary and Advanced Level June examination papers.
Tadiwanashe Frank Chiminya, of Mbizo, Kwekwe, appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo on Monday, April 14.
According to the State, Chiminya created a WhatsApp group named “June 2025 ZIMSEC Group and Exam Papers” in November 2024 using an Econet mobile number, 0787815406.
He allegedly claimed to have access to leaked ZIMSEC examination papers and invited students preparing for Ordinary and Advanced Level exams to join the group.
Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara, representing the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), told the court that Chiminya solicited payments from group members in exchange for access to the purported leaked exam papers. He directed payments to an Innbucks account registered under the name Admire Magaya, linked to mobile number 0784128996.
The alleged scam came to light after ZIMSEC received a tip-off and joined the WhatsApp group via an invite link. Upon investigation, officials discovered Chiminya’s involvement and reported the matter to the police.
Chiminya was arrested at his home in Kwekwe on April 12. During the arrest, police recovered an iPhone and two SIM cards—Econet lines 0787815406 and 0784128996—allegedly used in the operation. A Tecno Spark 9 phone containing a NetOne SIM card was also seized, along with the WhatsApp group as evidence.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Inspector Sizinkosi Ncube opposed bail, arguing that Chiminya’s actions had forced ZIMSEC to suspend the printing of examination papers to allow police to trace the source of the potential leak.
He also noted that Chiminya refused to unlock his phone for over six hours, suggesting a high likelihood of absconding and interference with investigations.
The court reserved its bail ruling until Thursday after hearing submissions from both the State and the defence.
The prosecution stated that Chiminya’s actions had caused serious reputational damage to ZIMSEC and disrupted its examination administration processes.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zimsec-june-exam-leak-plotter-arrested/">The Herald</a>

Pindula News

A 23-year-old student created a WhatsApp group to sell ZIMSEC exam papers. He asked students to join and pay for leaked papers. ZIMSEC found out and told the police. The student was arrested and his phones were taken. The police think he might run away. The court will decide if he can get bail. ZIMSEC is upset because the leak caused problems. The student caused a lot of trouble and now he is in trouble.

Polytechnic Student Arrested For Creating WhatsApp Group To Sell "Leaked" ZIMSEC Exam Papers

The Cabinet considered and approved the Zimbabwe School Examination Amendment Bill on Tuesday, 8 April.
If the bill is eventually passed into law, individuals convicted of leaking public examination question papers could face up to nine years in prison. Schools found guilty of the same offence would be deregistered and shut down under the proposed legislation.
The new regulations also state that anyone caught impersonating a student and sitting for an exam on their behalf will face imprisonment.
Previously, those found guilty of similar offences could face up to a year in jail, but in many cases, the courts opted for community service instead.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere, said:
<blockquote>
The decision to amend the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Act [Chapter 25:18] is to address challenges obtaining in the education sector, in particular, examination leakages, registration anomalies and fraudulent practices at some examination centres countrywide.
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Amendment Bill, 2024, therefore has inter-alia, the following objectives: streamlining Board functions to provide for the deregistration of non-compliant examination centres; strengthening of the operational efficiency of the Board; and reviewing of penalties for examination malpractices. More critically, the Bill eliminates leakages across all examination centres.
</blockquote>
Speaking at the same briefing, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerai Moyo, said:
<blockquote>
It should be noted that on leakages, we have had leakages especially in 2022 where more than five examination question papers leaked, especially, for Ordinary Level.
To address this mischief, we have come with this new Bill. According to section 141 of the Constitution, the general public will decide as they make submissions to the Bill, they will decide on the penalties, but what we are proffering as a solution is imprisonment of those culprits.
We are likely to come up with penalties, for leakage of one paper, one may be imprisoned for a period that exceeds nine years so that it becomes a deterrent measure to those who may want to engage in that criminal act.
Another measure is the deregistration of examination centres.
We are going to penalise those schools, registered or not. In the majority of cases unregistered centres as compared to registered centres (are often the culprits). So, we are going to deal decisively with this by deregistering these centres.
Another way is the issue of impersonation, where someone will masquerade as a bona fide student, writing the examination for another person. Those that will be caught will also face the same music and go to jail.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/exam-cheats-to-be-jailed-9yrs/">The Herald</a>

The government in Zimbabwe is making a new law that says if someone leaks exam papers they could go to jail for up to nine years. This law also says schools that do this will be closed. If someone pretends to be a student and takes an exam for them, they could go to jail too. Before, the punishment was not as severe. The government wants to stop exam cheating and make sure students take exams fairly. This new law will make sure people who cheat in exams face serious consequences.

New Bill Proposes 9-Year Jail Term For Leaking ZIMSEC Exam Papers, Impersonation

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has increased security measures to prevent leaks of public examination papers.
As the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) prepares to commence Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations this month, authorities aim to avoid the issues of paper leaks that have plagued previous exam sessions.
According to Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro, new security protocols include delivering exam papers to schools with compromised security just minutes before the exams begin.
Cluster centres have been established at schools with robust security infrastructure to securely store examination papers, ensuring their safe distribution to nearby schools on exam day.
Moreover, real-time monitoring will be implemented, with ZIMSEC dispatching monitors to all examination centers to detect and prevent any potential leaks. Said Ndoro (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zimsec-upgrades-examinations-security/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
We have enhanced security around examination processes and we are very confident that they will be written without any glitches, incidents or issues across the country. We can even say that the ZIMSEC exams are now more secure than those of Cambridge.
The Grade 7 examinations were conducted and completed successfully without any incident and we expect the same when it comes to the O and A level examinations.
Some of the measures that have been put in place are that ZIMSEC monitors have been deployed to all centres across the country to ensure adequate measures informed by the ZIMSEC standards are adhered to.
In terms of transport and storage of the examination material, firstly the papers are transported to provinces, districts and then cluster centres and from cluster centres they will be transported to the examination centre on the day of the exam.
When we say a cluster centre we mean a school with better security infrastructure within a certain area, that means a cluster centre in rural areas might cover up to 10 or more schools but in urban areas, a cluster will cover maybe two schools.
The morning paper will be transported in the morning and collected soon after, while the afternoon paper will be transported in the afternoon and collected the same day. The expenses will be catered for by the examination fees.
</blockquote>
This year marked the final examinations for learners under the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA).
Starting next year, students will be assessed based on a new heritage-based curriculum, which emphasizes five pathways: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), visual and performing arts, technical and vocational education and training, humanities, and commercials.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe is taking new steps to stop exam paper leaks. Security measures include delivering papers to schools just before exams start and setting up secure centers to store exam papers. ZIMSEC will also send monitors to all exam centers to prevent any leaks. The Grade 7 exams went well with these measures. From next year, students will be graded based on a new curriculum focusing on STEM, arts, vocational education, humanities, and commerce. This year's exams are the last for Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) students.

ZIMSEC Adopts New Measures To Prevent Exam Paper Leaks

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) says there were no examination paper leakages during the June 2024 public exam sittings.
The ZIMSEC mid-year public examinations took place from May 27 to June 21, 2024.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/no-exam-paper-leakages-during-june-exams">The Sunday Mail</a>, ZIMSEC public relations manager Nicky Dhlamini-Moyo said that over 32,000 candidates wrote the exams.
Dhlamini-Moyo attributed the lack of paper leakages to a combination of tight security measures around the distribution and storage of the exam materials, as well as the introduction of stiff penalties for offenders, which had deterred such malpractices. She said:
<blockquote>
The June examinations ran well, with the help of our parent ministry, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, school administrations, the national law-enforcement agencies and all stakeholders.
We did not encounter any incidents where candidates had pre-access to examination question papers in the June 2024 examination session.
For the June 2024 examinations, 144 candidates registered for the Advanced Level tests, while 32,049 candidates sat the Ordinary Level tests.
The integrity of examinations is of vested interest to all Zimbabweans. ZIMSEC has put in place various measures, which include the daily delivery of question papers to cluster centres.
We are grateful to all stakeholders and the nation as a whole for the support in keeping the examinations secure.
</blockquote>
Exam paper leakages have been a recurring issue for ZIMSEC in previous years, with the examination body and school authorities often blaming each other for the breaches.
For example, in the November 2022 exam cycle, over 100 students, teachers, and members of the public were arrested for alleged involvement in exam paper leaks.
However, Dhlamini-Moyo’s comments suggest that ZIMSEC has taken decisive action to address the issue, through enhanced security measures and stricter penalties.
The lack of any reported leakages during the June 2024 exams indicates that these efforts may have been effective in curbing the problem.
It remains to be seen whether ZIMSEC can sustain this improved track record going forward.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

No Exam Paper Leakages During June Exams - ZIMSEC

Three TelOne Centre of Learning students were arrested for allegedly leaking examination papers, reported <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/trio-nabbed-for-leaking-exam-papers/">H-Metro</a>.
The three, Elton James (23), Kudzai Shepherd Chumutsa (23) and Bradley Mangombe (23) appeared before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi.
They were remanded out of custody on US$50 bail each.
According to court papers, on Friday last week, the TelOne Centre of Learning, represented by Josephine Muzhangiri, received information that the examination papers being written had leaked at the institution.
Muzhangiri started doing some internal investigations, which then revealed that Nicolet Rukasha and Princess Gunduza, who are Part 1.1 students, were seen with leaked HEXCO Engineering Mathematics Paper 1.
The exam had been written the previous day at the Institution.
When they were questioned, they revealed that they bought the leaked examination paper from Mangombe and Chimutsa.
Mangombe was approached and he led Muzhangiri to Chimutsa who revealed that he got the paper from Elton James, leading to their arrest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Three TelOne Centre Of Learning Students In Court For Exam Leakage

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo has said the Government is in the process of crafting a law that imposes 10-year jail terms for individuals found guilty of leaking public examination papers.
In 2022, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) confirmed that Mathematics Paper 1, Mathematics Paper 2 and English Paper 2 had leaked in Bikita, Masvingo Province and Mashonaland West Province.
Over the years, ZIMSEC has grappled with the leakage of exam papers especially at Ordinary Level.
Speaking at the National Association of Primary Heads national conference in Mutare recently, Minister Moyo said this year, there were no exam leakages. <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/plans-afoot-to-root-out-beam-facility-cheats/">He said</a>:
<blockquote>
We have had the problem of exam leaks in recent years. We have had even Grade Seven exam papers leaking.
We are happy that this year, we have not had exam leakages and that makes me proud.
Going forward, we are now focusing on more stringent measures on this challenge of exam leaks.
We have drafted a Bill that we sent to the Attorney General’s office meant to come up with more stringent measures against exam leaks.
The ZIMSEC (Zimbabwe School Examinations Council) Act provisions, are to me, archaic.
We want to come up with progressive provisions such as imposing nine or 10-year jail terms on anyone responsible for exam paper leaks. That will be a deterrent.
</blockquote>
In September this year, ZIMSEC public relations manager Nicky Dlamini stated that they had put in place new security measures to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

New Law To Impose Heavy Penalties To Curb Examination Paper Leakages - Minister Moyo

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) said that eight suspects, among them, a 52-year-old man, have been arrested for various fraudulent activities since the commencement of the 2023 public examinations. A statement released by ZIMSEC reads:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) issued a statement on the 15th of October 2023, informing the nation that some fraudsters had been marketing and selling fake 2023 November examination papers on social media platforms.
ZIMSEC wishes to give the following update on examination malpractice cases to the nation and our stakeholders as of the 23rd of October 2023,
1. At the time of writing this statement there are no ZIMSEC November 2023 Examinations Candidates who had pre-access to the 2023 question papers in as far as the Examinations which were sat for.
2. Investigations were done to weed out the fraudsters who were capitalising on unsuspecting candidates. As a result of the investigations, there have been some arrests and culprits have appeared before the courts.
a) ZIMSEC Security and Loss Control Officers with the assistance of members of the Commercial Crime Department of the Zimbabwe Republic Police arrested Cole Mutandwa of Kuwadzana after he was implicated in advertising and selling fake ZIMSEC Examination Question Papers. Mutandwa implicated Paddington Nhedza a first-year student at the Midlands State University, as the source of the fake question papers found in his cell phone. Cole Mutandwa appeared before the Magistrate at Rotten Row courts on the 18th of October where he admitted to the charge of fraud. He was convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of USD100 or 3 months imprisonment.
Paddington Nhedza was brought to Harare where after being interviewed he revealed to the investigating officers that he got the fake scanned copy of Maths question paper 1 from Alishah T Mangisi an Ordinary Level student at Emmanuel Centre of Excellence located in Kuwadzana Extension. Alishah claimed to have taken the fake question paper off a WhatsApp group, Slimy Intertainment (a group for models) and forwarded it to Paddington for assistance in finding the solutions.
Paddington Nhedza appeared before a magistrate at Harare Magistrates Court on the 21st of October 2023. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to the 25th of October 2023. Alishah T Mangisi will be taken to court on the 24th of October 2023, since she was scheduled to sit for the ZIMSEC Commerce Paper on the 23rd of October 2023. All accused persons are being charged for being found in possession of articles for criminal use, as defined in section 40 of the Criminal Law (codification and reform act chapter 9:23)
b) The Investigations team arrested George Bukuta, aged 52, after being alerted by a vigilant invigilator at Life Long College who noticed that Bukuta was impersonating an examinations candidate using a passport which showed a date of birth of 05.04.1995 belonging to Shadreck Mutsau. After being apprehended Bukuta confessed that he had been paid USD200 by Shadreck Mutsau, candidate number 5036, to write Advanced level Family and Religious Studies and History on his behalf. Both parties have been apprehended and are awaiting to appear before the courts.
c) On the 20th of October 2023, the Investigations team was alerted of an attempt by Mr Simbarashe Chifura, who was conducting extra lessons at his place of residence in Budiriro 1. Mr Chifura approached Mr Edwell Tazvivinga a teacher at Danbrough College proposing a deal to smuggle a ZIMSEC Examinations answer sheet out of the Examinations room which he intended to use to write Ordinary Level Combined Science paper 2 for external candidate number 3112, Monica Mikairi. Mr Tazvivinga alerted his superiors who contacted Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials and the ZRP who set a plan to catch the culprit in the act. In the examination. Monica Mikairi was observed as she sat and did not write anything throughout the whole session. Meanwhile, Simbarashe Chifura assigned a motor mechanic, Patrick Zhanje to go and collect the answer sheet. The Police apprehended Patrick Zhanje handing over the answer sheet to Mr Chifura and took both of them into custody. The culprits appeared before the Magistrates’ court in Mbare on the 21st of October 2023.
3. In light of the above cases identified during these investigations, ZIMSEC continues to roll out strategies and measures to tighten the security wherever question papers are, in transit and in custody, pending the writing of the examinations. Investigation teams remain on the ground and vigilant to weed out any residual unscrupulous elements within and without the chain.
4. ZIMSEC applauds the vigilance and integrity of Centre Administrators and invigilators who are working tirelessly to maintain the integrity of the examinations and education system of the nation as a whole.
ZIMSEC is committed to upholding the integrity of the examination system in the country. We wish to thank the public and all our stakeholders for their interest and cooperation to ensure the integrity of our examination system. ZIMSEC wishes to thank the ZRP, state security agencies and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for working around the clock and leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators of all examinations malpractices are brought to book.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIMSEC Says Eight Exam Fraudsters Arrested

The Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) has said it will increase security measures for the end-of-year examinations to prevent leakages that rocked previous examinations.
Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://cite.org.zw/zimsec-to-enhance-security-measures-for-end-of-year-exams/">CITE</a>, ZIMSEC public relations manager Nicky Dlamini stated that they have put in place new security measures to safeguard the integrity of public examinations. She said:
<blockquote>
ZIMSEC has come up with some measures to increase the security of examination material as well as during the writing of examinations.
These methods include the provision of the examination material, which was otherwise allowed to be provided for by the examination centre for schools as well as increased security at our cluster centers where we do look after our question papers.
</blockquote>
Dlamini refused to reveal the exact measures ZIMSEC has put in place to curb examination leakages saying doing so is akin to “telling a thief where exactly your cameras are in your house.”
However, CITE reported a source as saying some of the measures will include the delivery of question papers on the day of writing. Said the source:
<blockquote>
Question papers may be delivered on the day so that no one will have access to them beforehand.
These question papers will also have names of the candidates already filled on them, perhaps to prevent others from having more papers than necessary.
</blockquote>
The source added that ZIMSEC will deploy vehicles to each cluster to ensure that papers are collected immediately after writing.
Earlier this month, ZIMSEC board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said that measures are already in place to prevent exam leakages.
He also said results for Grade Seven examinations will be released timeously this year to give parents time to prepare.
According to the Grade 7 2023 Examinations Timetable released by ZIMSEC in July, the exams are scheduled to begin on Monday 25 September 2023, with English 01.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZIMSEC Says To Increase Security Measures To Curb Exam Leakages

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) says measures are already in place to prevent exam leakages.
ZIMSEC board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje told <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/report-schools-unilaterally-hiking-fees">The Sunday Mail</a> everything is now in place to ensure that the upcoming 2023 public examinations are written without any hiccups. He said:
<blockquote>
All systems are set for Grade Seven, Form Four and Form Six examinations. We started the preparations early and did not face any problems.
The June exams were actually our test run for new measures we were implementing, and I am glad to say it was a huge success.
The board is always on the ground to make sure they implement measures that make the examinations successful, and we are really learning from our mistakes from last year’s exams.
</blockquote>
Prof Mwenje said results for Grade Seven examinations will be released timeously this year to give parents time to prepare.
Meanwhile, according to the Grade 7 2023 Examinations Timetable released by ZIMSEC in July, the exams are scheduled to begin on Monday 25 September 2023, with English 01, followed by Mathematics 01 on 26 September. 
On Wednesday, 27 September, the candidates will sit for languages, that is Tshivenda 01, Shona 01, Sesotho 01, Kalanga 01, Xichangana 01, Tonga 01, Nambya 01, and Ndebele 01.
Social Science 01 will be written on 28 September, Agric, Science &amp; Tech 01 will be written on 29 September.
On Monday, 02 October, candidates will sit for Agric, Science &amp; Tech 02.
On 03 October, candidates will write Tshivenda 02, Shona 02, Sesotho 02, Kalanga 02, Xichangana 02, Tonga 02, Nambya 02, and Ndebele 02.
The Grade 7 candidates will sit for the Mathematics 02 paper on 04 October and for the Social Science 02 paper on 06 October.
On 09 October, candidates will write the Physical Edu &amp; Arts 01 examination.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"We Have Learnt From Past Mistakes", ZIMSEC Vows To Prevent Exam Leakages

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has rubbished claims by Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Edgar Moyo, that school authorities working in cahoots with police were responsible for the leakage of public examination papers.
In 2022, some candidates had access to Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) English Language and Mathematics examination papers several days before they were written.
Speaking during the question and answer session in the Senate on 29 March, Moyo said investigations by the Ministry of Education established that the exam leaks happen at schools. He said:
<blockquote>
We also have the police officers who are there and when these papers are being removed from the strong room to the classroom for invigilation, it is not one person who takes those papers.
The whole system is water-tight in terms of security. We have integrity issues with some of our personnel at the school level and where the papers leaked, there was a kind of working together in cahoots by officials at the school.
When people agree and connive to do a crime, usually they will succeed because there is no one who is going to let the cat out of the bag.
</blockquote>
Responding to Moyo’s remarks, ARTUZ said marking schemes and soft copies of the examination papers were leaked on social media platforms, yet schools were never in possession of the documents. ARTUZ said in a statement:
Moyo lied to Senate that exams leak at the School level. We saw marking schemes in circulation. Do schools receive marking schemes?
We saw soft copies of exam papers. Do schools receive soft copies? Our policy brief on exam leakages is accurate.
Last year, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/school-heads-blame-zimsec-for-exam-leakages/">the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) pointed at ZIMSEC as the main source of the problem</a>, rather than schools.
According to <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/police-suspect-zimsec-head-office-is-the-source-of-exam-leakages/">a leaked police memorandum, dated 19 October 2022</a>, police said they suspected the soft copies of the papers are leaked by someone at the ZIMSEC head office in Harare.
Last year, 5 156 Advanced and Ordinary level candidates’ results were nullified for having pre-access to examination papers.
The A-Level results were released on 13 January with ZIMSEC withholding results for 195 candidates while the ‘O’ Level ones, where results for 4 961 candidates were nullified.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Schools Not Responsible For Exam Leakages - ARTUZ

The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Edgar Moyo has absolved the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) of complicity in the leakage of examination papers.
Speaking during the question and answer session in the Senate on 29 March, Moyo said school authorities working in cahoots with police officers were responsible for the leakage of examinations. The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/schools-connive-with-police-to-leak-exams-minister/">Chronicle</a> quoted Moyo as saying:
<blockquote>
We also have the police officers who are there and when these papers are being removed from the strong room to the classroom for invigilation, it is not one person who takes those papers.
The whole system is water-tight in terms of security. We have integrity issues by some of our personnel at the school level and where the papers leaked, there was a kind of working together in cahoots by officials at the school.
When people agree and connive to do a crime, usually they will succeed because there is no one who is going to let the cat out of the bag.
</blockquote>
Moyo said the process of producing an exam paper starts at ZIMSEC offices and is automated. He said:
<blockquote>
Our papers are developed by paper developers and then they are put into what is called a grade maker, which system banks the questions and which system uses random pick up of question papers.
There is no interface between the question papers and human beings. All those things are automated.
Then the transfer of those papers from ZIMSEC head office to our Norton printing press is done technologically and there is again no human interface. It is wired to the machines.
Those machines are just feeding codes and then the paper is run and again there is no interface until the paper is packed.
People will be just watching and papers will just be rolling. They are being cut, and packaged and the whole system would have been set, then the papers will go out.
The only interface is when those papers are then put into boxes to be delivered to schools.
… If you look at what happened last year, you will find that the leaks of those papers did not occur anywhere between head office, printing and delivery of papers to the centres.
The evidence that we have is that the papers leaked when they were at school.
</blockquote>
Moyo also said most of the exam leaks occur at schools run by acting headmasters, who have nothing to protect. He said:
<blockquote>
It is happening in the sense that in most of those schools where we have paper leaks, the personnel there are usually acting heads of schools and not substantive heads.
We have been talking to PSC to ensure that most of our heads are graded to substantive level so that they have something to protect.
Those who are just acting have nothing to protect and they just let go of things.
</blockquote>
Last year, 5 156 Advanced and Ordinary level candidates’ results were nullified for having pre-access to examination papers.
In February this year, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Evelyn Ndlovu said the Government intends to appoint an Independent Commission of Inquiry to assess whether ZIMSEC is doing the right thing or they are leaking the examination papers.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Schools, Police Officers Responsible For Exam Leakages - Minister

Teacher unions have urged parents of Ordinary Level students whose results were nullified to sue the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC).
ZIMSEC released the 2022 O’ Level examinations on Friday last week  but withheld the results of almost 5 000 candidates across the country for alleged cheating.
Mukaro High School in Masvingo province is reportedly the worst affected school after the entire school’s O Level results were nullified.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200007089/more-troubles-brew-for-zimsec">NewsDay</a>, Educators Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Tapedza Zhou said parents must sue ZIMSEC for nullifying their children’s results. He said:
<blockquote>
We have been representing teachers, but we are urging parents to sue ZIMSEC. We have not witnessed something like this since Zimbabwe’s independence and during the Rhodesian era.
Almost 5 000 results were nullified, it’s a joke. ZIMSEC has put the name of the country into disrepute and our academic credentials will likely be undermined.
We don’t condone corruption and we don’t condone examination leakages, but the teachers we are representing are underpaid and they are the markers. If action is not taken, there will be more leakages this year.
</blockquote>
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said:
<blockquote>
The withdrawal of results for almost 2% of the candidates doesn’t eliminate the risk of fake evaluation outcomes.
That punishes poor parents who religiously pay education fees. These parents have no mandate to secure examinations and ZIMSEC is solely to blame for this.
</blockquote>
ZIMSEC spokesperson Nicky Dlamini told NewsDay that concerned parents and candidates who had their results nullified should approach their schools first. She said:
<blockquote>
Affected students must approach their respective schools before approaching ZIMSEC.
</blockquote>

Teacher Unions Urge Parents To Sue ZIMSEC Over Nullified Results

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) says it will deregister schools and examination centres complicit in the leakage of examination papers.
ZIMSEC board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje told <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/exam-leaks-probe-zimsec-to-deregister-schools-centres/">Sunday News</a> on Saturday that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will deal with school heads involved in the leakage of examinations. He said:
<blockquote>
As you might be aware, there are some headmasters that are alleged to have opened examination papers.
If that was a distribution centre, it means it would receive papers before the date of the examination, we will deregister them from being a centre.
Also, if it comes out that the administration there was involved, the Ministry (of Primary and Secondary Education) will take the necessary action.
</blockquote>
The 2022 ZIMSEC Advanced and Ordinary level examinations were marred by irregularities, with thousands of candidates having pre-access to examination papers.
As a result, ZIMSEC nullified the results of 5 156 Advanced and Ordinary level candidates.
The A’ Level results were released on 13 January with ZIMSEC withholding results for 195 candidates.
The O’ Level results came out on 03 February with ZIMSEC nullifying the results of 4 961 candidates. Added Prod Mwenje:
<blockquote>
Centres have to register and qualify to administer ZIMSEC examinations. They have to adhere to ZIMSEC principles.
If they fail to adhere, we simply deregister them, they will have proved their unsuitability and if the headmaster is corrupt, we do not have the capacity to remove them because we do not employ them, their employer will deal with them.
If these are private schools we just say until you put your things in order you cannot be a centre, so the students have to write the examinations somewhere else.
</blockquote>
ZIMSEC director Lazarus Nembabware said they are in the process of fact-gathering to identify all examination centres that were complicit in the examination malpractice.
He said when the investigations are concluded, ZIMSEC will name and deregister the centres.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications and advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, said they are fully behind ZIMSEC and will allow the exams board to do its work without interference.

ZIMSEC Vows To Deregister Examination Centres Complicit In Leakages

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) says it nullified the results of 4 961 candidates who sat for the 2022 Ordinary Level examinations for cheating.
In a statement released on Friday, 03 February, ZIMSEC board chairperson Eddie Mwenje said the figure represents 1.78% of the total candidate entry. He said:
<blockquote>
Candidates who had pre-access to question papers at different examination centres were identified during the writing of the examinations and also at the marking of scripts and grade review stages.
The results of such candidates were nullified for the subjects in question in accordance with the ZIMSEC Act section 34.
Candidates, headmasters and members of the public who were caught posting question papers on WhatsApp and those buying them were arrested and appeared in court.
All other practices that contravened the ZIMSEC Act were brought to the attention of ZIMSEC by respective schools.
As a result of the combined investigation reports from schools, and the identification of culprits at the marking and grade reviews stages, a total of 4 961 candidates had results nullified.
This number is out of 278 760 who registered for the Ordinary Level examination. The number represents 1.78% of the total candidate entry.
</blockquote>
The examinations were marred by several irregularities and some education stakeholders had called for the nullification of the examination.
Mwenje said the overall pass rate for the 2022 O’ Level examinations increased by 2.62% to 28.96% compared to 26.34% recorded in 2021. He said:
<blockquote>
A total of 278 760 candidates sat for the November 2022 examinations as compared to 249 914 candidates who sat for the same examinations in 2021.
There was an increase in the candidature of 28 846, thus translating to an increase of 11.54%.
In 2022, a total of 183 584 wrote five or more subjects and 53 169 passed five or more subjects with a grade C or better giving an overall pass rate of 28.96% as compared to l63 179 candidates who wrote five or more subjects in 2021, with 42 985 passing five or more subjects with a Grade C or better yielding a pass rate of 26.34%. The statistics show that the 2022 pass rate increased by 2.62% from 2021.
</blockquote>

ZIMSEC Nullifies Results Of 5 000 O' Level Candidates For Cheating

Five learners from Vhembe High School in Beitbridge have been found guilty of cheating in the November 2022 ZIMSEC Ordinary Level examinations.
The learners were slapped with suspended sentences varying from six months to a year.
The learners were identified as Immaculate Mapako (18), Eussein Makaranga (18), Tinotenda Mavusi (16), Paul Moto (16), and Patricia Dube (18).
Prosecutor Olivia Chamutinya said the learners accessed different leaked exam papers through social media.
She said the matter only came out after one of the students alerted the invigilator Lindani Sibanda who in turn informed the school head Petros Sibanda during an exam that she had seen the paper that she was writing.
Beitbridge Magistrate Variro Gabi sentenced Mapako to 12 months, suspended two months for Makaranga and Dube got eight months, while Mavusi and Moyo were sentenced to six months each. All the learners will do community service.
In passing the sentences, the magistrate considered the learners’ ages.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday last week. | <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/5-beitbridge-students-get-1-year-sentences-for-cheating%ef%bf%bc/">The Mirror</a>

Community Service For Five Beitbridge O' Level Exams Cheats

A 19-year-old man from Bellevue suburb in Bulawayo was ordered to perform 105 hours of unpaid service for cheating during the 2022 public examinations.
David Chipendo was convicted of cheating during last year’s Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary Level examinations.
Chipendo appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Busani Sibanda facing charges of gaining access to examination material as defined in Section 35 (a) of the Zimbabwe School Examination Council Act Chapter 25:18.
He was initially sentenced to seven months imprisonment but four months of his sentence was suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining three months were suspended on condition that he performs 105 hours of community service at Donnington Police Station.
In passing the sentence the magistrate noted that Chipendo was a first offender.
However, Magistrate Sibanda ruled that the option of a fine was going to trivialise the offence and thus community service will allow Chipendo to introspect and also deter would-be offenders.
Allegations were that on 4 October 2022, Chipendo was writing the Ordinary Level Combined Science Paper 2 at Herentals College situated at Corner 6th Avenue and Lobengula Street.
It was further alleged that while collecting the answer sheets from the students, the informant discovered that Ndlovu had folded and torn answer sheets.
The informant quickly alerted the authorities who seized the material which they discovered was prepared answers for the Combined Science Paper 2 which was being written.
The matter was reported to the police and investigations led to Chipendo’s arrest. | <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/exam-cheat-spared-jail-agony/">B-Metro</a>

Court Orders Exam Cheat To Perform 105 Hours Of Unpaid Service

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZTA) secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said that the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) 2022 Ordinary Level examinations should be rewritten to preserve the credibility of the examinations.
ZIMSEC told Parliament last year that about 590 suspects were caught cheating while sitting for November 2022 Ordinary and Advanced Level final examinations.
Speaking to NewsDay, Taderera said ZIMSEC should arrange for the examinations to be rewritten in order to address the widespread leakage. Said Taderera:
<blockquote>
Everything is falling apart now. We have always red-flagged the ZIMSEC malpractices.
It has actually been going on for years. We have heard learners doing 20 subjects with flying colours and we have been suspicious.
Now this year, we had evidence of learners who had access to the papers before they sat for the examination.
That was enough reason for ZIMSEC to arrange for rewriting of the examinations to restore its integrity as an examinations body.
Rewriting is the only fair way to address the malpractice.
</blockquote>
However, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education chairperson Torerai Moyo, said it is too late for ZIMSEC to run a rewrite. Moyo said:
<blockquote>
ZIMSEC is investigating the leakages through the marking process which would determine the extent of the cheating.
If there is a pattern of uniformity in the answers by pupils, as reported by the examiners, then there is proof of cheating. But I think it is too late for ZIMSEC to run a rewrite.
The bottom line is ZIMSEC should be accountable for how it runs the examinations.
One way is to amend the Act that governs how examinations are run to give room for stiffer penalties for cheating.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005729/zimsec-marking-schemes-leaked-before-exams">NewsDay</a>

Teachers' Union Says ZIMSEC 2022 O' Level Exams Should Be Rewritten

The leakage of Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary Level examinations appears to have been unprecedented in the country in 2022 as candidates had access to marking schemes before they sat for their final examinations in October and November.
ZIMSEC markers who declined to be named for security reasons told NewsDay that there is irrefutable evidence that candidates had marking schemes before they wrote the exams.
Some candidates reproduced the marking schemes for some papers “word for word” in their answer sheets according to NewsDay’s sources.
At some examination centres in Harare, the majority of pupils reportedly got high marks of up to 100% for Combined Science Paper 2 and others. An examiner who requested anonymity was quoted by NewsDay as saying:
<blockquote>
Some pupils reproduced the marking scheme in their answers, even the codes that are put on the documents to guide the markers, which the candidates did not know the meaning of.
It was clear that cheating occurred because some would write answers exactly as they were on the marking scheme but on the wrong question.
It is possible that every pupil in class can get an answer right, but not when the answer is the same in verbatim for a sentence. It is impossible unless they are copying from somewhere.
</blockquote>
ZIMSEC spokesperson Nichollette Dlamini said a comprehensive report will be published once investigations into the leakage of examinations are completed. She said:
<blockquote>
As reported to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee by our directorate and MoPSE [Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education], the marking activity was part of the measures to find those candidates who may or are suspected to have been involved in examination malpractice.
The comprehensive report and results, including those of other investigations, will be published at the completion of the exercise.
</blockquote>
Towards the end of last year, ZIMSEC officials told Parliament that about 590 suspects were caught cheating while sitting for November 2022 Ordinary and Advanced Level final examinations. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005729/zimsec-marking-schemes-leaked-before-exams">NewsDay</a>

ZIMSEC Marking Schemes Leaked Before Exams | Report

Teacher unions have urged the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) to protect the credibility of public examinations after 588 people were arrested over examination paper leakages this year.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZTA) secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said ZIMSEC should pay its staff meaningful salaries so that they won’t be tempted to leak examination papers. Said Taderera:
<blockquote>
Indeed, we have heard of the examination leaks and over 500 people were arrested, which means that all our examinations lose their integrity and credibility.
The widespread leaks mean that they fall far too short of the expected international standards. We do not support the leaks.
ZIMSEC must begin to take the examination process seriously, it must try to pay people well so that they do not leak the examination papers.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure claimed that some examination markers have recommended the nullification of the 2022 ZIMSEC ordinary level examinations due to “widespread” leakages. He said:
</blockquote>
The teachers, who are marking the examinations, have advised us that the situation is a disaster.
<blockquote>
The examiners have actually advised Zimsec to nullify the results. To deal with this, we need to set up a team to investigate what went wrong. As unions, we are ready to assist with investigations.
Remedial action will be recommended after thorough investigations, and we recommend that these examinations be nullified.
</blockquote>
Last week, ZIMSEC deputy director Farai Zisengwe said A” Level results will be out in early January, but it did not specify when the “O” Level examination results would be out.
He also said three subjects were leaked, including Mathematics, English Papers 1 and 2 and Combined Sciences Papers 1 to 3.
Zisengwe was appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005426/protect-exams-integrity-teachers-urge-zimsec">NewsDay</a>

Teacher Unions Urge ZIMSEC To Take Examinations Seriously

The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) says five hundred and eighty-eight (588) candidates were caught cheating while sitting for November 2022 Ordinary and Advanced Level final examinations.
ZIMSEC reportedly roped in the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to investigate the seemingly unprecedented examination paper leaks that rocked the 2022 “O” and “A” Level examinations.
ZIMSEC deputy director Farai Zisengwe and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Director Barnabas Mangosho on Thursday appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education led by Honourable Torerai Moyo.
Zisengwe and Mangosho told the Committee that despite the progress on the issue of leaked papers, the matter has not yet been concluded as far as O’ Level examinations are concerned. Said Zisengwe:
<blockquote>
This is an issue that has not been concluded. We are doing the assessment and we are marking to identify these cheats.
About 588 candidates were caught along the way, but we believe there are more who will be caught during the marking period.
The board is going to be seized with the issue and we can confidently say Advanced Level results will be out in early January, but for Ordinary Level, we cannot say the same.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the recent leaks could be traced to ZIMSEC offices in Harare.
</blockquote>
However, Mangosho disputed the ZRP’s position, arguing that there were no leakages at ZIMSEC. He said:
<blockquote>
No November 2022 question paper leaked from ZIMSEC because of the security protocols that were put in place.
It is regrettable that a member-in-charge of the police in Gutu posted on social media that the question papers had leaked from ZIMSEC yet there was no evidence of such.
</blockquote>
Mangosho added that ZIMSEC engaged CIO officers to trace the leaks, leading to the seizure of the cellphones from candidates and the arrest of those who were allegedly involved in the selling and buying of question papers. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005070/590-exam-cheats-nabbed-zimsec">NewsDay</a>

588 ZIMSEC Examinations Cheats Arrested

The leaking of a University of Zimbabwe (UZ) examination paper recently suggests that top politicians, security chiefs and other influential people bribe their way through law school, a report claims.
Some well-connected and powerful people, including lecturers and relatives of UZ authorities, allegedly have access to examination papers at the law faculty before any examination.
Last month, Harare police provincial intelligence officer Superintendent Vigai Maunganidze was allegedly caught with a UZ law examination paper before the exam was written.
Prosecutors allege that on 31 October, Maunganidze obtained a UZ faculty of law examination paper for the administrative local government law module for second-year students that was supposed to be written on 3 November.
Maunganidze allegedly shared the paper via WhatsApp with one Madombi, a Defence Ministry official and third-year Bachelor of Substantive Laws (BLS) student at the UZ.
Madombi allegedly shared the examination paper with ZANU PF Director of Information Tafadzwa Mugwadi, who reportedly promised to lodge a complaint with the Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development minister.
A UZ law lecturer told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200004199/bigwigs-linked-to-exam-paper-leaks">The Standard</a> that the leaking of the paper only shows a fraction of a deep-seated problem. Said the lecturer:
<blockquote>
Level 1 has a syndicate whose group is led by one Dubai Queen.
The group has been asking for cash for people to join the group as it has privileged access to exam papers prior to the examination date.
A huge number of students are engaged in corrupt activities to pass exams, specifically accessing exams prior to the exam day and alteration of results for those that failed and other means to enable passes.
Level 2 class syndicates have been securing exam papers through the Disability Resource Centre prior to the examination.
</blockquote>
<h2>ZANU PF MP’s complaint</h2>
In April this year, ZANU PF legislator Dexter Nduna (Chegutu West), a BLS student, wrote to the UZ administration complaining about how the programme was being run.
The letter was copied to UZ Law faculty dean Innocent Maja, Vice Chancellor Paul Mapfumo as well as the chairperson of the Council for Legal Education Justice Sylvia Chirau-Chigomba and Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda. Nduna’s letter dated April 1, 2022 reads in part:
<blockquote>
We enrolled for the programme with the understanding that it was a part-time programme that would allow us to have lessons during the weekend and after hours as per the advert flighted by the UZ (not the faculty).
It seems that the faculty leadership is now a law unto themselves and a lot of conflicts of interest seem to be the motivating factor behind decisions (scrapping the BLS programme as part-time) being made.
Whether it is professional/ethical or standard UZ policy to tell students to make private arrangements and engagements with individual lecturers so as to negotiate with them for lectures, and if this does not open them to sexual harassment, extortion, etc as the issue for demanding financial inducements by lecturers seems to be taking root at the UZ and the authorities seem to be condoning it under false pretences that these are merely operational issues under the purviews of faculties.
Is this not another way of facilitating deplorable practices?
It may begin to seem that the removal of weekend BLS lectures may have other motives as it was indicated that the lecturers can make other arrangements outside the auspices of the UZ, this involves the payment of inducements and incentives to the lecturers, particularly those teaching languages under the guise that they don’t teach during the weekends.
Where does this leave those students who are part-time? Is this not a ploy to facilitate the conducting/forcing of these students into these choreographed and well-orchestrated extra lessons?
</blockquote>
UZ law faculty department chairperson Fredrick Hamadziripi and the UZ faculty of law dean Maja both refused to comment on the corruption allegations when contacted by The Standard.
Mapfumo, the UZ vice chancellor, said he was not aware of the subject.
Acting registrar Munyaradzi Madambi said he was in a meeting when contacted for comment on Friday and could not comment on the matter.

UZ Exam Paper Leak Points To A Deep-rooted Problem | Report

A chemistry teacher at George Silundika High School, Joseph Moyo (36), recently appeared before Tsholotsho magistrate Regius Mawarire for leaking a Mathematics examinations paper.
Moyo was released on free bail and remanded to 15 December. He was ordered to continue residing at his given address in Cowdray Park, report at ZRP Cowdray Park once a fortnight, and stop visiting the school until the finalisation of investigations by the police.
Prosecutor, Valentine Makoni, told the court that Moyo was allegedly sent the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary Level Mathematics Paper 2 by one Farai Sibanda, who is still at large, via Bluetooth. Said Makoni:
<blockquote>
On 19 October, a day before the Mathematics paper 2 examination was written, Moyo conducted extra lessons for his Form Four learners at his laboratory during which he started revising the leaked paper.
</blockquote>
Moyo was represented by Thabekhulu Dube of Ncube and Partners. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/deputy-head-teachers-jailed-for-exam-paper-leak/">Chronicle</a>

Chemistry Teacher In Court Over Leaked Mathematics Exam Paper

The deputy headmaster and an English teacher at Sipepa High School in Tsholotsho district, Matabeleland North Province, have admitted to leaking a public examinations paper to candidates at the school.
Brian Mazendami (41) of 20596 Pumula South, Bulawayo, who is the deputy headmaster and the teacher, Makosini Mondela (50) of Sipepa Line in Tsholotsho, were each sentenced to three years in prison.
They were accused of leaking a Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary Level English Paper 1.
The two were convicted on their own pleas of guilty to criminal abuse of duty as a public officer and contravening Section 35(a) and (b) of the ZIMSEC Act by Tsholotsho resident magistrate Victor Mpofu.
However, the two educators will not go to jail after the magistrate conditionally suspended 18 months of the sentence on the condition that they do not commit a similar offence within that period.
The remaining 18 months were also suspended on the condition that Mazendami and Mondela each perform 630 hours of community service starting this Monday, 21 November 2022.
Mondela will perform community service at Jakalasi Primary School in Tsholotsho while Mazendami will be at Godlwayo Primary School in Pumula.
Allegations were that on 14 October 2022, at around 4 PM, Mazendami and Mondela connived and opened the strong room, where the examination papers were kept.
The duo took out a sealed envelope containing English Language paper 1 (4005/01) November 2022 examination and copied two questions from the sealed envelope and then returned it to the strong room. Prosecutor Sharon Phiri said:
Mazendami then taught his selected students how to write compositions based on those topics. He then corrected them after submitting their compositions.
She further alleged that a whistle-blower sent an anonymous letter to ZIMSEC exposing the corruption and a taskforce team was set up to conduct investigations at Sipepa High School leading to the arrest of the two teachers. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/deputy-head-teachers-jailed-for-exam-paper-leak/">Chronicle</a>

Deputy School Head, Teacher Sentenced To 3 Years In Jail Each For Exam Paper Leak

The school head and a teacher at Thokozani Secondary School, Insiza district, Matabeleland South Province have been arrested on allegations of conniving to leak a Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) Ordinary Level paper.
The headmaster, Gainmore Muzezewa, and the teacher, Howard Zipore, are set to appear before a magistrate at Filabusi Magistrate Court.
In a statement on Friday, ZIMSEC warned examination centre administrators that they risk arrest and prosecution for any leakages of exam papers.
ZIMSEC said some candidates, examination administrators, and members of the public have been arrested and have appeared before the courts for leaking examination papers. It said:
<blockquote>
Candidates who had pre-access to question papers at different examination centres were identified. As a result of the investigations some candidates, examination administrators, and members of the public have been arrested and have appealed before the courts.
Examination centre administrators who were the source of the leakage were apprehended together with their distribution networks.
The Investigation team has arrested a man who fraudulently registered a SIM Card line in the name of ZIMSEC Mutare. Masquerading as a ZIMSEC official, he was found selling fake certificates and some question papers.
The Police Forensic Unit is currently tracing all Candidates who shared the Question Papers on various social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Telegram. More candidates have been apprehended and arraigned before the courts. The law has and is taking its course.
… Candidates who had pre-access to question papers continue to be identified and in line with the ZIMSEC Act, Section 34. will have examination results cancelled.
</blockquote>

School Head, Teacher Arrested Over ZIMSEC Exams Leak

A senior police officer, accused of leaking a law exam paper at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), was expected back in court on Tuesday for his bail hearing.
Superintendent Vigai Maunganidze, the provincial intelligence officer for Harare, appeared in court over the weekend, and again on Monday where his application, refusing to be placed on remand, was dismissed.
Presiding magistrate, Tranos Utahwashe, dismissed the application, saying there is reasonable suspicion that a crime was committed.
This warranted Maunganidze being placed on remand leading to the bail application.
Prosecutor Ephraim Zinyandu told the court that on 31 October 2022, Maunganidze obtained a UZ Faculty of Law examination paper on Administrative and Local Government Law for second-year students.
The paper was scheduled to be written on 3 November and he was among the students sitting for the exam.
It is alleged that Maunganidze shared the paper with Farai Madombi, a third-year Bachelor of Substantive Laws at UZ, via WhatsApp.
On 1 November, Madombi sat for his Company Law exam in the afternoon.
During the exam, some students were caught cheating and were disqualified.
After the exam, Madombi’s classmate, Tafadzwa Mugwadi, approached him and started discussing the exam paper they had written.
It alleged that Mugwadi started complaining about people who cheat in exams.
Mugwadi reportedly revealed plans to approach the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development to expose exam cheats.
It is alleged that Madombi, who had leaked the Administrative and Local Government Law BLS204 exam paper, then forwarded the paper to Mugwadi.
Mugwadi immediately notified the UZ authorities, who confirmed the paper as the one to be written by second-year students on 3 November.
The university then issued a notice canceling the exam. | <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/d-day-for-top-cop-over-leaked-exam-paper/">H-Metro</a>

Provincial Intelligence Officer Back In Court Over Leaked UZ Law Exam Paper

The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) says it is yet to decide whether the three leaked Ordinary Level examination papers should be re-written or not.
ZIMSEC has acknowledged the leakage of three Ordinary Level Papers – Mathematics Papers 1 and 2, and English Paper 2 – but there are speculative reports that the examination paper leaks may have involved more papers.
ZIMSEC spokesperson Nicholette Dlamini told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200003591/leaked-papers-zimsec-yet-to-decide">NewsDay</a> that they were carrying out investigations to determine the extent of the leakages. She said:
<blockquote>
We have not yet come up with a decision for rewriting the leaked papers.
The decision for a rewrite will come up after establishing how far the exposure to the leak s was, and so the process is still underway.
</blockquote>
In a statement last week on Friday, ZIMSEC said the examination results for the students who were fingered in the leakages will be nullified.
Former Education minister David Coltart told NewsDay that the extent of the leaks warranted rewriting of the examinations. He said:
<blockquote>
The admission that the leaks are widespread is a cause for concern. It undermines the integrity of the entire examination system.
It shows that the security of the entire system is flawed and it will result in stakeholders losing confidence in the results.
If there are over a hundred pupils who have been arrested over the leaks, ZIMSEC has no choice, but to nullify the papers and arrange rewriting of the examinations.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill Taderera also said ZIMSEC has no choice but to rerun the examinations. Said Taderera:
<blockquote>
The examinations were shared on social media and some had printed copies of the leaked papers.
The whole system is in jeopardy and only a rewrite will clear the air.
There is not much evidence that is needed to convince ZIMSEC to arrange for a rewrite of the examinations.
</blockquote>

ZIMSEC Yet To Decide Whether Leaked Papers Should Be Rewritten

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a senior police officer after he was found in possession of an examination paper that he was scheduled to write for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
The suspect, Superintendent Vigai Maunganidze appeared in court in Harare on Saturday and was remanded in custody to Monday for bail hearing.
ZACC spokesperson Thandiwe Mlobane confirmed the arrest to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/senior-cop-arrested-over-leaked-law-exam-paper/">The Herald</a> on Sunday night. She said:
<blockquote>
I can confirm the arrest of a senior police officer, Vengai Maunganidze on Friday, November 11 2022 on allegations of unlawful possession of an exam paper before the examination day and he appeared in court on November 12, 2022. Investigations are continuing.
</blockquote>
The leakage of examination papers has become a common occurrence and threatens to undermine the credibility of examination processes in the country.
Last week, the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) said some candidates, examination administrators, and members of the public have been arrested and have appeared before the courts over the leakage of Ordinary Level Question Papers.

ZACC Arrests Senior Cop Over Leaked Law Exam Paper

Teachers’ unions have blamed the “structural and ethical decay” at the Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), and bad leadership in the government for recurring examination leakages.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure said poor salaries are pushing ZIMSEC workers to engage in corrupt practices. Said Masaraure:
<blockquote>
The ZIMSEC exam papers scandal is a reflection of the structural and ethical decay developing in our education system as a result of bad salaries and leadership in both government and the education sector.
Bad salaries breed desperate workers, who then resort to corruption as a way to survive.
</blockquote>
Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ) president, Takavafira Zhou, said ZIMSEC has lost all credibility. He said:
<blockquote>
The credibility of the ZIMSEC board is now in tatters. There is a clear lack of professionalism.
We want all children to write examinations which haven’t been leaked so that we measure their real potential.
</blockquote>
So far this year, two papers; Mathematics Paper 1 and English Paper 2 for Ordinary Level have leaked.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) revealed that so far eleven cases of exam leakages have been reported throughout the country. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/teachers-blame-poor-salaries-leadership-crisis-for-zimsec-exam-papers-leak/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Teachers' Unions Blame "Structural And Ethical Decay" For Exam Leakages

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched criminal investigations into the leakage of several Zimbabwe Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examination question papers.
To date, Ordinary level English Paper 2 and  Mathematics Paper 2  leaked into the public domain, with some of the suspects already having been arrested.
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said so far eleven cases of exam leakages have been reported throughout the country. He said:
<blockquote>
Due to the numerous media inquiries on the response of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Police confirm that it is conducting criminal investigations in connection with the leakage and circulation of the 2022 ‘O’ Level ZIMSEC examination papers throughout the country.
So far, eleven (11) cases have been reported to the Police in all parts of the country.
The general public and the media are requested to direct all administrative issues concerning the examination leakage to ZIMSEC while the Police handle the criminal investigations.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police will ensure that arrests are effected on anyone who is illegally circulating examination papers on social media and physically to the public.
</blockquote>

Police Probe ZIMSEC Exam Leakages

School heads have blamed the Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) for recurring exam leakages that have undermined the integrity of the country’s public examinations.
ZIMSEC itself has confirmed the leakage of the 2022 November Ordinary Level Mathematics Paper One but reports suggest that more papers could have been leaked.
School heads pointed at ZIMSEC as the main source of the problem, rather than schools.
National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) chair Arthur Maphosa told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zimsec-under-fire-over-leaks/">The Herald</a> the leakage of examinations is unfair on candidates, teachers and parents who would have worked hard preparing for the examinations only for them to be nullified. Said Maphosa:
<blockquote>
It is sad that after all the time we take preparing learners and you just hear of these leakages.
You just feel sorry for the learners, teachers and parents. It is bad and it needs to end.
Nonetheless, the problem is not at schools. I think it is emanating from ZIMSEC and they need to tighten their security to avoid the leakages.
Also, some private schools might be partly to blame. The way some run the examination processes is suspicious like the things we hear that some teachers prepare for examinations with learners up to the last night of the exam in what they call an examination gala.
</blockquote>
National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) chair Cynthia Khumalo said primary schools were not affected by the leaks, but added that ZIMSEC should ensure that the integrity of exams is protected. She said:
<blockquote>
From our end, we did not encounter any challenges, but that it is happening is a huge cause for concern.
We need to protect the credibility of our education system. ZIMSEC needs to tighten its security system for the integrity of our examinations.
For public schools, I do not think there is any challenge in administering exams. The challenge is with some private schools and there is a need to further scrutinise private schools before they are allowed to stage examinations.
We are gathering information and ZIMSEC will issue a statement. We want this issue to be dealt with expeditiously. Now it is a criminal case and we expect the law to take its course.
As Government schools, we do not condone such behaviour. The integrity of our exams is sacrosanct and needs to be protected.
We also urge parents, teachers, learners and all stakeholders to reject, resist and report corrupt elements near our education system.
</blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), has blamed ZIMSEC for the exam leakages.
A leaked <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/police-suspect-zimsec-head-office-is-the-source-of-exam-leakages/">police memo dated 19 October 2022 revealed that Ordinary Level English Paper 2 and Mathematics Paper 2 were leaked</a> with some of the suspects already having been arrested.

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