Investigations have uncovered that the University of South Africa (UNISA) diploma submitted by Prophet Walter Magaya to the High Court last week is a forgery.
UNISA confirmed that Magaya’s name does not appear in any of their databases.
Magaya had submitted a photocopied and certified diploma in marketing as part of his bid to qualify for the ZIFA presidency. However, his attempt to prove his educational credentials has backfired.
Once a leading contender for the top ZIFA position, thanks to over two decades of involvement in football administration, Magaya was disqualified due to a lack of proper academic qualifications. ZIFA requires candidates to hold at least an Ordinary Level (O’ Level) qualification as a minimum standard.
Related Stories
- Just In: High Court Rules Against Walter Magaya’s Challenge for ZIFA Presidency
- Prophet Magaya Accused of Defrauding Congregants in Unfulfilled Residential Stands Project
UK-based journalist Maynard Manyowa, working for Dug Up, led the investigation into Magaya’s claim.
The publication reached out to UNISA for verification. In a letter dated January 28, 2025, UNISA’s press office stated,
“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.”
This revelation is not Magaya’s first academic controversy. In 2017, state-owned newspapers reported that he had received an honorary PhD from UNISA, a claim that remains dubious.
Despite his efforts to present additional diplomas whose authenticity is still under investigation his lack of an O’ Level qualification has long been an open secret.
Zimbabwean law under Section 137 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act criminalizes forgery, with penalties including a fine, up to 20 years of imprisonment, or both.
Magaya, who owns Yadah FC, a team competing in the Castle Lager Premiership, now faces legal scrutiny in addition to his disqualification from the ZIFA presidential race.
