HARARE – Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Tatenda Mavetera is facing a storm of controversy over her academic qualifications, with allegations surfacing that she has fabricated claims of holding a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD).
The accusations, brought to light by “Dug Up,” a platform run by UK-based Zimbabwean investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa, have ignited a firestorm on social media, with users ridiculing Mavetera for what they perceive as a deliberate deception.
The saga unfolded after Mavetera attempted to defend herself against claims surrounding a purported PhD award that was revoked by the High Court of Zimbabwe last year. Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, became the battleground, with users questioning the legitimacy of her academic achievements.
Mavetera’s attempts to clarify her position on her current PhD studies at Midlands State University (MSU) appeared to falter, with critics accusing her of failing to articulate her situation coherently.
One X user, Tawanda Mupindu, directly challenged Mavetera to address the rumours of her possessing a fake PhD, which Mavetera denied. “I am at the early stages of attaining one. I finished my taught courses two years ago and am now working on my proposal,” Mavetera responded on her X account Saturday.
However, former Mt Pleasant Member of Parliament and prominent lawyer, Fadzayi Mahere, swiftly challenged Mavetera’s claims, questioning how she intended to complete a doctorate in just nine months. Mahere also raised concerns about the length of time it has taken Mavetera to reach the proposal stage.
“If you are telling the truth in your tweet, why have you been at the ‘proposal stage’ of your PhD dissertation for six years? Why has it taken you six years to get started? Why are you failing to even complete chapter one, an introductory chapter?” Mahere questioned.
She further pressed Mavetera on several key points: “When did you get accepted to do a PhD at MSU? How did you get a PhD place without a substantive research proposal? Who is your thesis supervisor? Your LinkedIn page further states you will have completed your PhD by November 2025. How do you plan to complete a whole PhD in nine months if you’ve taken over six years to put together a research proposal? How will you balance this onerous academic burden with your role as a Cabinet minister, a Member of Parliament, and a senior party official?”
Mavetera responded by attributing the delays to the Covid-19 pandemic and initial challenges with the new course at Midlands State University. “Covid and teething problems since it was a new course for Midlands State affected us. We started with 2 years taught courses. Proposal presentation started effectively last year. I did my part and personally went to present mine so we await the Higher degrees committee decision,” she explained.
Mavetera also refuted allegations by Dug Up that she paid an unnamed academic in Mutare to complete her PhD work on her behalf. “I wish I knew this person. Unfortunately, there is no name provided. Even to suggest that this person communicates with my supervisor, which institution in this world would allow such a thing? I am a public figure. Who would claim to be me, if they were not? I have not even started chapter one, so what would be the point of such deception?” she stated.
Adding fuel to the fire, Mavetera also denied claims that she lacks the five Ordinary Level subjects required for university enrolment, dismissing the allegation as false. She argued that she could not have been enrolled at MSU without the necessary qualifications. “How does one get enrolled at a reputable university like MSU without those qualifications? For your information, I was Student Representative Council President at Women’s University in 2014. I was a class representative in 2016 at MSU while undertaking my strategic marketing masters, so everyone from my class would know me,” she explained.
Mahere continued to press Mavetera, urging her to refrain from using the title “Dr.” “In the circumstances, can you agree that there is no lawful basis at this stage for you to present yourself as a “Dr.”? Can you understand why we are surprised that as recently as yesterday, your ministry was still using this title in relation to you?” Mahere questioned.
The controversy surrounding Mavetera’s academic credentials dates back to 2022, when she announced that she had been awarded a “Doctorate of Humane Letters” from the International Institute of Philanthropy (IIP). However, the “Doctorates of Humane Letters” issued by the IPP were officially revoked and withdrawn by the High Court of Zimbabwe in July of last year. Despite this, the government and her ministry have continued to refer to Mavetera as “Dr.”
Mavetera is not the first Zanu PF official to face scrutiny over academic qualifications. Earlier this year, Shackmore Wellington Timburwa, another Zanu PF activist and Chegutu West Member of Parliament, was exposed as not holding a PhD in International Relations from the University of South Africa (UNISA), contrary to his claims on LinkedIn dating back to 2023.
The DugUp investigation revealed that Mavetera has continued to use the title “Dr” despite receiving an honorary degree from an institution banned by Zimbabwe’s High Court from awarding qualifications in the country.
In a report published by DugUp, the platform alleged: “Tatenda Mavetera really wants to be a Dr – so much so that she paid for a bogus one, which she still uses. And then also paid a Mutare-based academic to do a PhD on her behalf.”
The government website for the Ministry of ICT continues to refer to her as “Dr Mavetera” despite a court ruling banning the use of degrees from the International Institution of Philanthropy (IIP) and its affiliates.
Police Report Filed Over Alleged Threats
DugUp further alleges that when the publication reached out to Mavetera for comment, she responded with veiled threats towards their Lead Producer, Maynard Manyowa. The threats have since been reported to Derbyshire Police in the UK under crime reference number 612-190225.
A representative for DugUp stated: “On Tuesday, February 18, DugUp sent questions to Tatenda Mavetera, the Minister of ICT. On Wednesday, February 19, she sent veiled threats that implied she knew where to find our Lead Producer, Maynard Manyowa.”
The threats have also been reported to the National Union of Journalists and will be forwarded to MISA Zimbabwe and the Committee to Protect Journalists. A separate report is expected to be made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Controversial Doctorate From A Banned Institution
On October 29, 2022, Mavetera announced that she had received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the International Women’s University (IWU). This institution is not affiliated with the legitimate Women’s University in Africa and was part of the now-banned IIP network.
A DugUp investigation found that the IIP, run by Enrico Mangono Sibanda, operated multiple organisations offering illegitimate honorary degrees. The Zimbabwe High Court officially banned IIP and its affiliates from awarding degrees in July 2024 under Case No. HCH1469/24.
Despite this ruling, Mavetera has continued to use the title “Dr.” Government documents, event posters, and official ministry communications still refer to her as “Dr Mavetera.”
DugUp stated: “Months after a High Court order, Mavetera continued to attend functions using the title Dr even though she does not have a PhD nor an honorary doctorate.”
Allegations Of Academic Fraud At MSU
Mavetera’s PhD candidacy at Midlands State University (MSU) has come under scrutiny following allegations that she hired a ghostwriter to complete her work.
DugUp alleges that the Mutare-based academic who was hired to do the PhD had direct communication with her MSU supervisor, which would amount to academic fraud. “Mavetera engaged the services of a ghostwriter – an academic in Mutare. The entire scenario was unethical. The ghostwriter was in constant communication with Mavetera’s supervisor – a situation that amounts to academic fraud.”
A spokesperson for MSU confirmed that Mavetera was a registered student but did not directly address the allegations of ghostwriting. The spokesperson stated: “Midlands State University (MSU) acknowledges that according to its records, Tatenda Mavetera is a registered student pursuing Doctor of Business Leadership studies. She was enrolled after having satisfied the institution’s enrolment criteria. The Midlands State University has in place checks and balances to ensure that only applicants who meet its academic standards progress in their studies.”
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