By Desmond Chingarande
Former University of Zimbabwe (UZ) vice-chancellor Levi Nyagura has denied single-handedly awarding a Doctor of Philosophy Degree to former First Lady Grace Mugabe, insisting though that the degree was authentic and lawfully awarded.
Nyagura, through his lawyer advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara, told chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi yesterday that the fact that the UZ had not revoked the degree meant it was
authentic.
“The accused person strongly denies any unlawful act or illicit intent in any of his actions in regards to the awarding of the doctorate degree to Ntombizodwa Grace Marufu,” Zhuwarara submitted.
“In fact, the university has not withdrawn, cancelled nor disowned the degree awarded to Marufu, which is a clear proof that the degree is authentic and deserved.”
Nyagura said the conferment of the doctorate to Marufu was occasioned by many functionaries within the discretion accorded to them.
“To the knowledge of the accused, the conferment of the doctorate was done lawfully in accordance to latitudes afforded to the functionaries,” he said.
Nyagura said it was incorrect that he appointed professor Claude Mararike to supervise Marufu’s thesis.
He also denied appointing Justine Tandire as the research assistant to Marufu and neither did he give direction or command on how the research results and data would be handled.
The former UZ vice-chancellor denied instructing Mararike not to submit written progress reports.
He further denied that he influenced the decision to award the doctorate, saying he even did not know the information regarding to the conferment.
The State, represented by Tapiwa Godzi, had called two witnesses, Mararike and Tandire, to testify and the trial was stopped after they failed to appear in court.
Allegations are that sometime in 2011, Nyagura single-handedly accepted and approved Grace’s application to study for a Doctor of Philosophy Degree 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 benchmarks.
It is alleged during the same period, Nyagura covertly appointed Mararike and a Chaneta to supervise Grace’s thesis without the knowledge and approval of the Departmental Board of
Sociology.
Nyagura allegedly took supervisors and examiners to Grace’s Mazowe Estates, where the defence oral examination was purportedly done without the knowledge and approval of the academic committee.
Ideally, the oral examination was supposed to be done on campus.
The State said Nyagura allegedly abused his position by showing favour to Grace, who did not meet the minimum requirements to study for the degree.
It is alleged Nyagura’s action had the negative effect of compromising the standards of the country’s education system. News Day
Personally l dont even care how she got the degree because it was just a political move on her side backed by her husband and if the current government chose to forgive her husband for all the abuses of power during his tenure….guys we are educated but we are just fools….
Marlven Tosh Chihota you made day 😂😂😂😂
Stop the lying
Why only on Grace only? All Zanu bigwigs are holding fake degrees
Rragwe Tsholofelo Taimon tru
What about ED and Chiwenga’s??? The truth is that nearly all of these Zanu PF maggots possess “cut and paste” PhDs. These are devils who do not subscribe to the principles of integrity or authenticity. Everything for them MUST be grabbed using positional authority including, land, state resources, education, wives, you name it. They have no remorse and care not about decency. Baboons are better civilised than these imbeciles.
U can have degrees but when u lack common sense it is useless
Who give Ed a degree & Chiwenga?
Why can’t the thesis be in one of the main Newspaper for the public to see her research and how unique it was. We want to see how she contributed new knowledge to a body of research
Mkululi Ndlovu http://ir.uz.ac.zw/handle/10646/3463
It was published
Mavengahama Sydney ut does not sound PhD but rather MA
In my opinion ,the court must be the one to determine this issue ,than the social media to conclude that that PhD is not authentic.All parties will be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the court.At the moment ,it is just an allegation .Those who know law will agree with me.The whole allegation might have been fabricated based on politics or it could be true.So,no one knows the truth.But if she had the qualifications to pursue that PhD ,then what’s the furore for?.After all she does not need any job .She is wealthy.I think there is more to that issue than the eye can see.If the University says it’s authentic ,then why would some people argue that that it is not authentic?..During the last days in office , the former President was interviewed on that issue.He vehemently denied that that PhD was fake.And l think he was telling the truth.lf the PhD of Mrs Mugabe is fake,then it means that that of Mrs Mujuru is also fake,because they studied together.So ,put together l think that PhD is authentic.Mrs Mugabe is an intelligent woman.Why would she ask the UZ to confer her a PhD degree which she did not work hard for to achieve?.I think the UZ has the final say.If the UZ say it is authentic ,then why would some people argue that it is not authentic.Anyone who hates another can fabricate such a lie in order to discredit that qualification for Mrs Mugabe.Thus my opinion on this issue without any prejudice.
This is a clear example for those that commit crimes and atrocities on the instructions of people in power. When the Chefs die or get kicked out of office, you will be left alone to deal with the courts.
Why can’t the thesis be in one of the main Newspaper for the public to see her research and how unique it was. We want to see how she contributed new knowledge to a body of research
Mavengahama Sydney ut does not sound PhD but rather MA
It was published
Mkululi Ndlovu http://ir.uz.ac.zw/handle/10646/3463
Who give Ed a degree & Chiwenga?
U can have degrees but when u lack common sense it is useless
Why only on Grace only? All Zanu bigwigs are holding fake degrees
Rragwe Tsholofelo Taimon tru
Stop the lying
Personally l dont even care how she got the degree because it was just a political move on her side backed by her husband and if the current government chose to forgive her husband for all the abuses of power during his tenure….guys we are educated but we are just fools….
Marlven Tosh Chihota you made day 😂😂😂😂
What about ED and Chiwenga’s??? The truth is that nearly all of these Zanu PF maggots possess “cut and paste” PhDs. These are devils who do not subscribe to the principles of integrity or authenticity. Everything for them MUST be grabbed using positional authority including, land, state resources, education, wives, you name it. They have no remorse and care not about decency. Baboons are better civilised than these imbeciles.
In my opinion ,the court must be the one to determine this issue ,than the social media to conclude that that PhD is not authentic.All parties will be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the court.At the moment ,it is just an allegation .Those who know law will agree with me.The whole allegation might have been fabricated based on politics or it could be true.So,no one knows the truth.But if she had the qualifications to pursue that PhD ,then what’s the furore for?.After all she does not need any job .She is wealthy.I think there is more to that issue than the eye can see.If the University says it’s authentic ,then why would some people argue that that it is not authentic?..During the last days in office , the former President was interviewed on that issue.He vehemently denied that that PhD was fake.And l think he was telling the truth.lf the PhD of Mrs Mugabe is fake,then it means that that of Mrs Mujuru is also fake,because they studied together.So ,put together l think that PhD is authentic.Mrs Mugabe is an intelligent woman.Why would she ask the UZ to confer her a PhD degree which she did not work hard for to achieve?.I think the UZ has the final say.If the UZ say it is authentic ,then why would some people argue that it is not authentic.Anyone who hates another can fabricate such a lie in order to discredit that qualification for Mrs Mugabe.Thus my opinion on this issue without any prejudice.
This is a clear example for those that commit crimes and atrocities on the instructions of people in power. When the Chefs die or get kicked out of office, you will be left alone to deal with the courts.
U can have degrees but when u lack common sense it is useless
Personally l dont even care how she got the degree because it was just a political move on her side backed by her husband and if the current government chose to forgive her husband for all the abuses of power during his tenure….guys we are educated but we are just fools….
Marlven Tosh Chihota you made day 😂😂😂😂
Who give Ed a degree & Chiwenga?
What about ED and Chiwenga’s??? The truth is that nearly all of these Zanu PF maggots possess “cut and paste” PhDs. These are devils who do not subscribe to the principles of integrity or authenticity. Everything for them MUST be grabbed using positional authority including, land, state resources, education, wives, you name it. They have no remorse and care not about decency. Baboons are better civilised than these imbeciles.
Why only on Grace only? All Zanu bigwigs are holding fake degrees
Rragwe Tsholofelo Taimon tru
Why can’t the thesis be in one of the main Newspaper for the public to see her research and how unique it was. We want to see how she contributed new knowledge to a body of research
It was published
Mkululi Ndlovu http://ir.uz.ac.zw/handle/10646/3463
Mavengahama Sydney ut does not sound PhD but rather MA
Stop the lying