By A Correspondent

The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) has condemned institutions offering fake certificates.

In a statement on Sunday, ZIMCHE said:

PRESS STATEMENT
ZIMCHE Press Statement: Conferment and Use of Fake/Fraudulent Degrees
For Immediate Release
Harare, Zimbabwe. 23 March 2025 – The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) has expressed serious concern over the rise of unregistered institutions operating unlawfully and awarding fraudulent undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, including both allegedly earned and honorary Ph.Ds.

These activities undermine the integrity and quality of Zimbabwe’s higher education system and present significant risks to the public. ZIMCHE has identified several unregistered institutions engaged in these illegal practices and has issued closure orders to halt their operations. Unfortunately, some institutions continue to defy the law, enrolling students and issuing fraudulent degrees.

Of particular concern is the misuse of these fraudulent qualifications, as well as the use of false titles such as “Professor” or “Doctor” by officials from these unregistered institutions and the recipients of these degrees. This includes unsuspecting members of the public who are deceived into paying for these false qualifications, as well as individuals who knowingly participate in this academic fraud.

As the regulatory body mandated by The ZIMCHE Act [Chapter 25:27], ZIMCHE is committed to preserving the standards, quality, and credibility of Zimbabwe’s higher education system. Unregistered institutions are hereby unequivocally warned to cease their operations immediately, withdraw all fraudulent qualifications, and stop issuing or conferring any degrees, including purportedly earned and honorary Ph.Ds. Recipients of these fraudulent qualifications and false titles are strongly urged to stop using them, as they could face legal consequences, including civil and criminal prosecution.

To protect stakeholders, including students, employers, and the public, ZIMCHE has launched investigations into these unlawful activities. Appropriate legal action will be taken against both unregistered institutions and individuals found complicit in academic fraud.

Members of the public are encouraged to verify the accreditation status of any institution with ZIMCHE before enrolling in any programs. Employers should also authenticate the qualifications of prospective employees with ZIMCHE. Public vigilance is essential, as some unregistered institutions frequently change locations to avoid detection. Additionally, some of these institutions are not owned by Zimbabweans, while others falsely claim affiliations with dubious international universities that lack proper accreditation in their home countries.

ZIMCHE remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of Zimbabwe’s higher education system. The organization is intensifying efforts to ensure that only accredited institutions are allowed to operate within Zimbabwe, safeguarding the high standards that have been built over decades.

For further inquiries, please contact ZIMCHE through the following channels:
Tel: +2638677009649
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.zimche.ac.zw

ZIMCHE remains dedicated to protecting the integrity and credibility of Zimbabwe’s higher education system.

ZIMBABWE COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
www.zimche.ac.zw
Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Email: [email protected]
319 Harben Chiron Avenue, Murwo, BEL