HARARE – The University of South Africa (UNISA) says it will pursue legal action into potential academic fraud by controversial preacher Walter Magaya who has made public claims he is a graduate of the esteemed institution.
The Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder who claims to hold an honorary degree from the university, declared his questionable academic credentials when he put up a spirited bid to be reinstated in the race to become ZIFA president.
However, subsequent media enquiries with UNISA have exposed what could be an embarrassing fraud by the cleric.
On Tuesday, UNISA made it clear that Magaya was never registered at the university and does not possess any qualifications from the institution either.
“Subsequent to the issuing of the media response, the university also came across a video clip in the social media domain, wherein Mr Magaya also claims to have received an honorary doctorate from UNISA,” said the university.
“The university has never conferred any honorary doctorate on Mr Magaya and strongly condemns this false claim.
“We believe that conduct of this nature damages and brings our brand into disrepute and we reserve the right to take appropriate corrective action.
“Relevant authorities within the university have therefore been requested to take the necessary legal action in this regard.”
On Tuesday, in response to an inquiry from Dug Up, an international media outlet, the university confirmed that their records do not show any registration or graduation of Magaya with Unisa.
Magaya previously told the High Court that he holds three diplomas in Marketing and Theology and has been awarded an honorary degree by UNISA.
