Published on 26/09/2024
Tawanda Waniwa, an employee at Mt. Darwin registry office is embroiled in a fraud scandal. He allegedly issued four Zimbabwean birth certificates to Cameroonian nationals heading to South Africa under local names like Chingwaru, Maini, Chimbwanda and Mhereyenyoka. This deceitful act has sparked a major investigation. The scandal highlights serious breaches in the registry system.
The foreign nationals reportedly presented the fraudulent birth certificates at Harare’s Market Square claiming they had lost their waiting passes for Zimbabwean identification documents. Using this ruse, they were issued duplicate IDs which they later used to successfully apply for Zimbabwean e-passports.
Once in possession of valid travel documents, the group attempted to cross into South Africa. However, their plan was thwarted at the Beitbridge border post when an observant officer noticed their language barrier and foreign accents, raising suspicion.
The incident has sparked concerns over the security of Zimbabwe’s passport system, which remains highly regarded across the region. Authorities have urged caution in handling such cases, stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the country’s travel documents.
“Please do not scandalize our passport. It still holds significant weight internationally,” said an official close to the investigation.
Investigations into the fraudulent issuance of birth certificates are ongoing, with Waniwa facing serious charges related to identity fraud and corruption.
