Man in court for producing fake certificates

Michael Mashiri

A man who was producing fake driver’s licences, Zimbabwe School Examinations Council certificates and certificates of competency among other documents, has appeared in court before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.

Philip Chaposha, 39, of Murambawonde in Mufakose appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing fraud allegations.

The State, through prosecutor Pardon Dziva, alleges that on July 13, 2023, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission received a tip-off that Chiposha was fraudulently selling fake driver’s licences, Zimsec Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates, vehicle registration books and marriage certificates.

A Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigation officer, Brander Mhuriro contacted Chaposha, pretending to be seeking an urgent driver’s licence.

Chaposha told Mhuriro that he needed US$200 to facilitate her driver’s licence, asking her to deposit US$50 via Mukuru Financial Services with the balance of US$150 payable on meeting him and collecting the driver’s liuence.

A deposit of US$50 was made via Mukuru Financial Services and immediately after Chaposha received the payment, he produced a fake licence for Mhuriro.

On August 8, 2023, Mhuriro was apprehended at number 10 Come Road, Granitesite, Harare where he wanted to receive the balance of US$150 from Mhuriro.

Chaposha was driving a Subaru, which was searched and fake Zimsec Advanced Level certificates in the name of Maradza Tafadzwa and Alex Kautsa, fake certificate of competency serial number 483789 DG in the name of Mhuriro Brander Paidamoyo, fake marriage certificate serial numbers 0924343 and 0462437 in the name of Maxwell Mlambo and Edwin Danai Ndololo respectively.

A fake vehicle registration book for vehicle registration number AFK9294 in the name of Ability Sithole and fake national identity card in the name of Dephine Gumbo.

Chaposha led the investigations officers to number 130 Mhlanga Avenue, National in Mbare where he printed the fake documents in connivance with Rumbidzai Mpofu, who is now deceased.

A Box CPU Mercer Proficient serial number A0008549 and a monitor which were used to print the fake documents were recovered at the address.

As a result of the forgery and misrepresentation Zimsec, the Registrar General, Central Vehicle Registry and the Vehicle Inspection Department were prejudiced of their reputation and good administration as the use of fake certificates and licences had an impact on the rating of systems of these institutions.

Chapusha was ordered to appear in court on August 16 for bail application.