Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Council has reportedly suspended Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura on allegations of abuse of office after he allegedly unprocedurally awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree to former First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Pedzisai Mashiri has been appointed to act as the Vice Chancellor. The council’s powers and authority are detailed in the University of Zimbabwe Act Chapter 25:16 Section 11 where council is the executive authority of the university.
According to a lecturer who preferred anonymity, the suspension is indefinite. It will only be lifted after all the court processes have been completed.
“The UZ Council members said that there was a very heated debate which lasted for three hours on whether to suspend the Vice Chancellor or not,” said the lecturer.
“Other members said council should do its own investigations to have an independent position as Prof Nyagura had done a lot of good work for the university.
“However, the majority said it will be sub judice as the matter is still in the courts. A council resolution was taken that the Vice Chancellor be sent on an indefinite forced leave until the court cases are completed, as they could not let him stay since most of the State witnesses are his subordinates.”
UZ Council chairman Ambassador Buzwani Mothobi refused to speak to The Herald yesterday over the matter. Efforts to get a comment from UZ Registrar Dr Noah Mutongoreni were fruitless.