Apprehension of Syndicate Producing Fraudulent Industrial Training and Trade Testing Certificates
On 17 February 2026, a coordinated sting operation led by ZINACO and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) resulted in the dismantling of a major document forgery syndicate in Bulawayo. The operation led to the arrest of three accused persons, all of whom are directors of a registered entity used as a front for illegal activities. Evidence suggests over 1,000 individuals may currently possess fraudulent qualification documents issued by this group.
At around 08:00 AM, ZINACO officers initiated a trap operation. An undercover officer contacted the accused person and provided personal details for the production of a counterfeit National ID and a Trade Testing Certificate.
In the afternoon, the primary suspect, Ndela Mkululi, dispatched an associate, Ncube Stanford, to deliver the completed documents. A joint team consisting of three ZINACO officials and two ZRP officers who had staged an ambush at the designated delivery point. Ncube was apprehended onsite upon delivery of the illicit materials.
Following his arrest, Ncube cooperated with authorities, leading them to the locations of his accomplises.
Residence of Ndela Mkululi: Located at 3258 New Luveve, Bulawayo.
Ndela subsequently led officers to the printing site at Shop No. 1, Corner 3rd Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street.
At the business premises, Musaka Clavey Siamulile was arrested, identified as the technical lead responsible for the designing and printing of the fraudulent documents.
Evidence Recovered
During the raid on the business premises, the following items were confiscated as evidence:
High-end printing machinery.
One Laptop.
One Desktop computer containing templates for certificates and IDs.
Records indicating that more than 1,000 fraudulent qualifications have been issued to date.
Investigations revealed that the trio operated under a registered legal facade
a company name Industrial Trainers and Trade Testing (PVT) Ltd. All three are directors and they are currently in police custody awaiting transfer to Kwekwe to join their co-worker Progress Sithole who was arrested and detained on the 16th of April 2026 at Mbizo by ZRP Kwekwe and ZINACO.
The accused persons Ncube Stanford, Ndela Mkululi, and Musaka Clavey Siamulile are currently detained at the Bulawayo Central Police Station. facing charges of forgery & fraud.
Investigations remains ongoing to identify the beneficiaries of these fake certificates.
Report Compiled By, ZINACO www.zinacoanticorruption.co.zw
