HARARE – Investigations by UK-based journalist Maynard Manyowa have revealed that the diploma in marketing recently presented by Prophet Walter Magaya at the High Court is allegedly fraudulent.
Magaya submitted the diploma while contesting his disqualification from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) elections, arguing that he should not have been excluded for failing to provide an O’ Level certificate, a key requirement.
He claimed that his three diplomas, including the one now exposed as fake, were equivalent to or higher than the required O’ Level qualification.
However, a letter dated January 28, 2025, from the University of South Africa (Unisa) sent to Manyowa via email confirms the diploma was fabricated.
The letter reads: “Dear Mr. Maynard Kudakwashe Manyowa. Your media inquiry regarding the above has reference.
“Kindly be advised that, 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.”
Meanwhile Magaya claims he was bullied into supporting the eventual winner of the ZIFA presidential election, Nqobile Magwizi.
The PHD Ministries founder said he backed Magwizi’s campaign after being pressured by “elders” and “powerful people” after his own disqualification from the race in December.
“I can’t fight the system,” Magaya told ZIFA councillors a day before the election that was held on Saturday.
Magwizi was elected following a landslide victory that saw him secure 61 votes followed by Philemon Machana with 6, Twine Phiri with 4 votes, Marshall Gore with 1 and 0 votes for Makwinji Soma Phiri.
Controversial tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo’s promise to gift vehicles to ZIFA councillors who backed Magwizi however raised concerns of vote-buying.
