UNISA Denies Record of Walter Magaya’s Alleged Qualification – Legal Trouble Looms

January 28, 2025

By Dorrothy Moyo | ZimEye | The University of South Africa (UNISA) has officially denied any record of Walter Magaya as a student, despite his claim of possessing a diploma from the institution. The revelation raises serious legal implications, as Magaya had submitted the disputed qualification to the High Court of Zimbabwe to challenge his disqualification from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) presidential race. Legal experts warn that this could expose him to charges of perjury and contempt of court, both of which carry severe criminal penalties in Zimbabwe.

UNISA Denies Magaya’s Credentials

In a letter addressed to journalist Maynard Kudakwashe Manyowa, UNISA responded to an inquiry regarding Magaya’s alleged qualification, stating:

“Based on the details you provided, our system could not trace either a student number or date of birth for Mr. Magaya. This effectively means that we do not have Mr. Magaya as a student of UNISA.”

This casts serious doubt on Magaya’s claim of holding a National Diploma in Marketing, which he submitted in court proceedings. His legal battle arose after he was barred from contesting the ZIFA presidency due to his failure to produce proof of having five O-Level passes, as required by the ZIFA electoral rules.

Potential Criminal Charges: Perjury & Contempt of Court

Magaya’s actions could now have criminal repercussions, as submitting a fraudulent document in a court of law is considered perjury, a serious offense under Zimbabwean law.
• Perjury (Section 183 of the Criminal Law Code in Zimbabwe)
• Definition: Making a false statement under oath or submitting a fraudulent document in court.
• Penalty: Up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
• Fraud (Section 136 of the Criminal Law Code)
• Definition: Intentionally misrepresenting facts for personal gain.
• Penalty: Up to 35 years in prison, depending on the severity and financial impact.
• Contempt of Court (Common Law Offense)
• Definition: Willfully disobeying or misleading a court.
• Penalty: Unlimited fine or imprisonment at the judge’s discretion.

A legal expert, speaking anonymously, told reporters:

“If Magaya knowingly submitted a fake diploma, this is a clear case of perjury. Courts treat such offenses seriously, as they undermine the integrity of the justice system. He could be looking at a substantial prison sentence if convicted.”

High Court Rejected Magaya’s Appeal

Justice Tawanda Chitapi, who presided over the case, dismissed Magaya’s application to overturn his disqualification, emphasizing the legal requirement for candidates to present authentic educational credentials. The judge stated:

“A requirement to have five O’Levels must be met. Just for the avoidance of doubt, if one relies on a diploma, the issue is not that a diploma is higher than O’Level. The applicant would be required to produce an O’Level certificate even if he holds a PhD.”
(Source: allafrica.com)

Public Scrutiny and Growing Backlash

Social media has erupted with reactions, with many questioning the authenticity of Magaya’s diploma. Tech and education analyst Kudzai Mutisi was among the first to highlight discrepancies in the document’s formatting, suggesting that the certificate number and structure do not align with UNISA’s standard diploma format. He stated:

“This is not a National Diploma from UNISA… Folks shouldn’t do these embarrassing things. The numbers on the certificate HAVE MEANINGS!”
(Source: iharare.com)

What Happens Next?

With UNISA’s official response now public, authorities may launch a criminal investigation into the matter. If prosecutors determine that Magaya intentionally misrepresented his academic qualifications in court, he could face immediate arrest and formal criminal charges.

Additionally, UNISA’s statement may prompt further scrutiny into other qualifications Magaya has claimed in the past, potentially leading to a broader fraud investigation.

Developing Story

This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information emerges.