FOUR people have been convicted by a Bulawayo magistrate after they were caught selling counterfeit National University of Science and Technology (NUST) graduation invitation cards ahead of the institution’s 2025 graduation ceremony.
Carol Tinotenda Makadzange (28), Ike Marcus Chinyuku (26), Rudo Joyce Kavande (27) and Mqondisi Mlilo (27) pleaded guilty to the charge when they appeared in court early this week.
They were all convicted and fined US$350 each with an option of seven months jail term if they failed to pay.
They were also slapped with an additional three-month prison sentence which was wholly suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The court was told that the four were arrested at NUST campus on October 3 and were charged with possession of articles for criminal use.
It was the State’s case that the four conspired to print and sell fake graduation cards to parents and guardians eager to attend the ceremony.
The scam was uncovered when an undercover police officer purchased a fake card for US$10 from Makadzange, who then implicated her accomplices.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of 197 counterfeit cards, US$310 and ZAR700 in cash from illegal sales as well as a desktop computer used to produce the forgeries.
- Revisiting Majaivana’s last show… ‘We made huge losses’
- Edutainment mix: The nexus of music and cultural identity
- ChiTown acting mayor blocks election
- Promoter Mdu 3D defends foreigners 30 minute set
Keep Reading
All recovered items were forfeited to the State.
