HARARE – The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is facing a storm of controversy after former Zanu PF Chegutu West MP, Dexter Nduna, was allegedly spotted at the institution’s graduation ceremony last Friday despite not being on the official list of graduates.
Nduna, who has been vocal on social media about his supposed achievement, even purchased a graduation gown and participated in the ceremony. “Congratulations to me today, UZ law class of 2024,” he posted over the weekend, celebrating his purported graduation.
This brazen act has sparked widespread outrage and accusations of abuse of power. Critics allege that Nduna used his political influence to attempt to coerce the university into awarding him a law degree, despite failing several modules during his studies.
The incident has cast a shadow over the university’s reputation, raising serious questions about the integrity of its academic leadership.
When confronted with the allegations, UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo confirmed that Nduna was not on the official graduation list and stated that the university is currently investigating the matter.
“I am just coming in and we are investigating what happened, certainly he (Nduna) was not on the list. We have to find out the circumstances, people can have their gowns but we don’t mind people buying their own law gowns. On the list I can confirm he wasn’t,” said Mapfumo.
When asked if Nduna’s appearance at the graduation ceremony had tarnished the institution’s reputation, Mapfumo responded: “We are investigating and wouldn’t give you a comment before getting all the facts because it’s only last week. Today I have just come in the office that’s when we can have all these briefings now.”
Nduna, however, declined to comment on the legitimacy of his graduation, deferring to the university for an official statement.
“You can get it (comment) from the university, not to me. I am just an individual. I am not an owner of an institution. The university can be in the better space to comment,” he said.
An insider at the university, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Nduna has faced significant challenges with technical law courses throughout his studies.
The source noted that Nduna has struggled with subjects such as Contract Law, Administrative Law, and Commercial Law, and allegedly resorted to threatening lecturers rather than focusing on his coursework.
“Dexter Nduna has had challenges since level 1.1. He struggles so much with technical law courses such as Contract law, Admni law and commercial law. Instead of applying legal principles and concepts or case law he Instead wrote political language and couldn’t learn fast from the law school style of writing. He kept repeating, threatening lecturers Instead of learning,” said the source.
The university’s investigation into this matter is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Nduna’s alleged participation in the graduation ceremony and the extent to which his actions were facilitated by his political connections.
This is not the first time that The University of Zimbabwe has come under fire over a controversial graduation. Former University of Zimbabwe (UZ) vice-chancellor Levi Nyagura once allegedly took the institution’s lecturers to Grace Mugabe’s Mazowe orphanage so she could take oral examinations for her disputed Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, a Harare court heard in February 2018.
Nyagura who was 72 years old at the time was arrested on in February 2018 for alleged criminal abuse of office for his role in the awarding of the degree to the former first lady.
Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande was told Nyagura single-handedly accepted the wife of former president Robert Mugabe’s application to study for the PhD without the knowledge of the UZ’s sociology department.
Prosecutor Oscar Madhume said in 2011 Nyagura approved Ntombizodwa G Marufu (Grace’s maiden name) application without the knowledge and recommendations of the departmental board and faculty of higher degrees committee in violation of UZ quality assurance guidelines and benchmark.
He said during the same period, Nyagura appointed Professor Claude Mararike and Professor Chaneta to supervise Grace without the knowledge and approval of the department.
