By Chantelle Muzanenenhamo
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has initiated a fraud investigation into Prophet Walter Magaya’s educational qualifications following questions about the legitimacy of a diploma he presented to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and Harare’s High Court.
The investigation comes after allegations that Magaya submitted fake qualifications while applying to become president of ZIFA in last month’s election for the new executive committee.
On January 31, ZACC formally requested all documents from ZIFA related to Magaya’s application and has also approached the Judicial Service Commission for the record of proceedings from Magaya’s High Court case, where he challenged ZIFA’s decision to block his candidacy due to insufficient qualifications.
At the heart of the inquiry is a marketing diploma that Magaya claims to have obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA). However, UNISA has denied ever conferring such a diploma to Magaya, stating that he is not listed as a student or graduate.
In a statement released on January 29, the university declared, “Any certificate he produces which he claims to be from UNISA is therefore fraudulent.”
Magaya, a self-proclaimed prophet and founder of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministry, could face significant repercussions from these investigations.
With his dual role as a controversial figure in both religious and sports spheres, the fallout from this scandal may have lasting implications for his leadership and influence in both domains.
The latest controversy no doubt puts a further dent on his tarnish his image and affect his ministry, or will he be able to weather the storm? Only time will tell.