The trial of University of Zimbabwe (UZ) vice-chancellor
Levi Nyagura for awarding former First Lady Grace Mugabe a doctorate degree
(PhD), failed to kick off yesterday due to unpreparedness of his defence team.
Nyagura, who is facing charges of criminal abuse of office,
is being represented by Advocate Lewis Uriri.
The UZ boss yesterday told magistrate Estere Chivasa that
his lawyer, who was not in the gallery, was asking for more time to prepare for
the case and the State, represented by Tapiwa Godzi, did not oppose the
application.
Allegations are that sometime in 2011, Nyagura
single-handedly accepted and approved an application by Ntombizodwa G Marufu
(Grace’s maiden name) to study for a PhD in sociology without the knowledge and
recommendations of the departmental board and faculty of higher degrees
committee in violation of UZ quality assurance, guidelines and benchmark.
It is alleged during the same period, Nyagura covertly
appointed Claude Mararike and a Professor Chaneta to supervise Grace’s thesis
without the knowledge and approval of the department board of sociology, who
are mandated to accept the applications and allocate it to supervisors of
students in terms of general academic regulations.
The State alleges that Nyagura usurped the powers of the
senate by single-handedly appointing examiners to examine Grace’s research in
violation of UZ Act chapter 25:16 and Ordinance 1998/99 volume, which gave
prerogative to the senate.
Nyagura allegedly led supervisors and examiners to Grace’s
Mazowe Estate, where oral examinations were purportedly done, whereas the oral
examinations were supposed to be done at the UZ premises.
It is alleged during the same year, Nyagura recommended to
the chancellor the conferment of a doctor of philosophy degree in sociology to
Grace without the knowledge and approval of the UZ council and academic
committee.
The State alleges in September 2014, Grace was among the
graduands without the approval of the council.
The sociology department distanced itself from both the
candidate and awarding of the degree as it was done without their knowledge.
Nyagura allegedly abused his position after showing favour to Grace, who did
not meet the minimum requirements to study for the degree.
It is alleged Nyagura’s action had the effect of making the
education system in Zimbabwe discredited, thereby affecting its international
rankings and raising doubt about qualifications from Zimbabwe’s institution of
higher learning. Newsday
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