Academic scandal rocks University of Zimbabwe as lecturers’ strike enters day 57
HARARE – The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is reportedly embroiled in an academic scandal, with allegations that students are being permitted to submit dissertations and projects without proper supervision or formal defense.
This development comes as UZ lecturers continue an indefinite strike, now in its 57th day, demanding improved salaries.
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) has issued a statement expressing alarm over the alleged relaxed academic standards.
According to the AUT, students are reportedly submitting “any material” as dissertations, with chairpersons arbitrarily assigning marks in the absence of a formal defense before an academic board.
The AUT has warned that this practice risks producing graduates who lack essential knowledge and skills, damaging the credibility of UZ degrees and potentially turning the institution into a “banana university” where standards are sacrificed for expediency.
“By abandoning essential academic rituals such as supervision and defence, UZ risks producing graduates who lack the necessary knowledge and skills.
“This scandal severely damages the credibility of UZ degrees, undermining the institution’s reputation nationally and internationally.
“The absence of proper academic oversight highlights how UZ has devolved into an institution where standards are sacrificed for expediency,” the association stated.
The academic body has also placed scrutiny on various stakeholders, including UZ Vice Chancellor Paul Mapfumo for his leadership, the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) for its alleged inaction, and Minister Frederick Shava for his perceived failure to intervene.
The association has called for urgent accountability and the restoration of rigorous standards, including proper supervision and defense mechanisms for dissertations and projects.
Meanwhile, the lecturers’ strike, which began on April 16, 2025, has escalated, with all state universities across Zimbabwe reportedly set to join the industrial action if salary demands are not met.
UZ lecturers are demanding a return to their pre-2018 salaries of US$2,250 per month, a significant increase from their current earnings of approximately US$230.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti has criticised the government for failing to address the lecturers’ demands for a living wage and for the “crises at Universities.”
“University lecturers have been on strike since April 2025. Yet the regime and its crony crooks have failed to address crises by paying lecturers a living wage despite doling out billions for the cause of succession and the ill fated 2030 Agenda.
“Zim has reached a point of no return,” Biti wrote on his X handle.
“There is a crises at universities where an irresponsible, lackadaisic indifferent regime has failed to address the fundamental issue, which is the living condition of the lecturer, the semester system and excessive fee charged to students.Undermining education is killing a country.”
Obvious Vengeyi, the AUT spokesperson, on Monday stated that state university representatives will meet to discuss an offer from their employer. He reiterated that lecturers would not return to work until the US$2,250 salary demand is met.
Munyaradzi Gwisai, a UZ legal advisor and senior labour law lecturer, also addressed the striking lecturers, urging them to continue their resistance. He noted that other state universities are joining the “battalions of resistance,” emphasizing the resolve of the striking staff.
“We have sustained the struggle this far, to a point where all other state universities are joining your battalions of resistance. This is not the time to retreat.
“We will be part of the discussions tomorrow, but whatever is offered, we remain resolute,” Gwisai said.
