On trail of alleged exam papers leak

Zim Now Writer

The authenticity of the papers on sale is not yet established

Zim Now can confirm that the numbers on an image being shared on social media are connecting to people purporting to be selling this year’s Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) exam papers.

“Yes. They are available,” said the person who picked the call for the number listed as belonging to Chidumba when Zim Now called.

According to a notice posted on the WhatsApp platform, the trio of Dr T.N Machache, Mr PG Chigumbu and Mr N. Mwenje are selling 2022 exam papers “at very affordable prices”.

There are six subjects available comprising Mathematics, Combined Science, English Language, Shona Language, Geography and History.

On being asked how much the papers were, he became evasive.

“Didn’t you get the details on the group? Send me a message on WhatsApp. Call me in 30 minutes,” he said.

Messages sent to the number on WhatsApp only had one tick signifying that the user was offline. Attempts to call after 30 minutes were met with the automated network notice saying the number was unavailable.

Zimsec spokesperson Nick Moyo said that the papers cannot be genuine as the exam body has not yet distributed the papers.

“We have no plans to distribute them (exam papers) before the next fortnight or thereabouts, so I wonder where those people got what they purport to be selling,” she said.

There have been several cases of exam paper leaks in the past resulting in some results being withheld and, in other instances, re-writes of some papers.

In January 2020 a Zimsec clerk stationed at the Norton printing press appeared in court over allegations of stealing an exam paper that his son had then sold for US$50.

In December of the same year a Zimsec contractor at the printing press was sentenced to one year in prison after conviction for selling exam papers.

Over the years there have been scams where people are duped into buying fake papers.

Online scammers usually ask for digital transfers into mobile money wallets registered using stolen identities. They will then either block the sender or share fake documents. The fake exam papers are usually from previous years with just the date adjusted on the cover sheet.

It is not yet clear if the present situation indicates a leak at Zimsec or there are scammers in action.