By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Shackmore Wellington Timburwa, the Zanu PF MP for Chegutu West, has been exposed for fraudulently claiming to hold a doctoral degree in International Relations, allegedly obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Timburwa, who goes by the name Shacky Timburwa, has allegedly staged a fake graduation ceremony in 2023, where he posed in academic regalia and declared himself a PhD graduate.
This revelation follows an investigation led by journalist Maynard Manyowa, who uncovered that Timburwa staged a fake graduation ceremony in 2023, celebrating what he falsely claimed was “the culmination of years of hard work, late nights, and endless research.”
According to Manyowa, Timburwa, 31, shared a post on his social media accounts on November 3, 2023, announcing his supposed graduation.
Investigations revealed that Timburwa traveled to South Africa, paid a conman, and participated in a staged graduation event at the UNISA campus, where he posed in academic regalia alongside others.
“It is all bogus though. Shacky did not enrol for a PhD at UNISA, or at any other university. He did not conduct any research nor did he graduate anywhere,” Manyowa stated.
The chain of events leading to Timburwa’s claims began during the 2020 lockdown, when a Zambian pastor named Isiaih Brian Sovi falsely alleged he graduated from UNISA with a PhD.
In 2023, Sovi offered to help Timburwa achieve the same fraudulent credentials. Although Timburwa later admitted he had been scammed, stating he realized it on the very day of the fake graduation and confronted Sovi, he continued to use the title “Dr.” across his social media platforms and promotional materials.
Despite his assertions of being a victim of fraud, questions remain about his motives and why he sought out a nonexistent doctorate in the first place.