• Chipo Basira
• 16 Apr, 2025

 A 23-year-old polytechnic student, Tadiwanashe Frank Chiminya, from Mbizo in Kwekwe, has appeared in court facing charges of fraud , he allegedly created a WhatsApp group with over 900 members to facilitate the leaking of Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) ordinary and advanced level June examination papers.

According to the state, Chiminya created the WhatsApp group, named "June 2025 ZIMSEC Group and exam papers," in November 2024 using an Econet mobile number.

 He invited students preparing for their exams to join the group, claiming to have access to ZIMSEC papers.

 Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara told the court that Chiminya solicited payments from group members in exchange for access to the purported leaked exam papers, directing payments to an InBucks account registered under the name Admire Magaya.

Chiminya was arrested at his home in Kwekwe on April 12, and police recovered an iPhone and two Econet sim cards allegedly used in the operation. 

A Tecno Spark 9 phone was also seized, along with the WhatsApp group as evidence.

The alleged scam came to light after ZIMSEC received a tip-off and joined the WhatsApp group via an invite link. 

Investigating officer Detective Constable Inspector Sizinkosi Chiminya opposed bail, arguing that Chiminya's actions had forced ZIMSEC to suspend the printing of examination papers. 

The court reserved its bail ruling until Thursday, April 17, after hearing submissions from both the state and defense. 

The prosecution stated that "Chiminya's actions had caused serious reputational damage to ZIMSEC ".