Zvishavane Man Sentenced After Shocking ZIMSEC Exam Scam

A young man from Zvishavane has been convicted for pretending to be someone else so he could write a public examination on their behalf — a move that landed him in court.

Fidelis Chipungu, 20, was found guilty by the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court for violating the ZIMSEC Act after he sat for a Mathematics Paper 1 exam pretending to be Hilton Malunga. The exam took place at George Chipadza Secondary School on Monday, 26 May 2025.

Zvishavane Man Caught Writing ZIMSEC Exam for Someone Else

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, Chipungu used Malunga’s national ID card to enter the exam venue. However, after completing the paper, school officials summoned him to the deputy headmaster’s office, where he confessed.

The matter was handed over to the police, who arrested Chipungu soon after.

He was sentenced to two months in prison, but the sentence was wholly suspended on the condition that he perform 70 hours of community service.

The prosecuting authority has since reminded the public that exam fraud and cheating will be met with serious consequences.

Also read: Govt Proposes 9-Year Jail Terms for ZIMSEC Exam Cheats

Chipinge Woman Sentenced After Hiding Birth of Child

In a separate case from Chipinge, a 36-year-old woman was convicted of concealing the birth of a child after she secretly gave birth and buried the remains in a shallow grave.

The court heard that she had consumed an unknown substance to induce labour, and on 22 May 2025, gave birth near the Budzi river. She then buried the remains at the riverbank.

Her secret was uncovered when she became ill and eventually revealed what had happened.

She was handed a 6-month prison sentence, which was wholly suspended on the condition that she complete 210 hours of community service.