A University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturer has filed an urgent High Court application to stop the August 15 graduation ceremony, claiming the event is proceeding despite compromised exam results during a lecturers’ strike.
Dr Phillemon Chamburuka, representing the Association of University Teachers, is seeking a court order to block the UZ Council, Vice Chancellor, and other officials from holding the ceremony until a full forensic audit of the 2024–2025 second semester is completed. In his founding affidavit, Dr Chamburuka said:
“The rights of both students and the integrity of the university’s academic programmes are under grave threat.
“To proceed with graduation under these circumstances will irreparably prejudice graduates whose qualifications may later be invalidated due to compromised processes.”
The affidavit describes a semester in disarray, with a lecturers’ strike allegedly leaving some courses untaught or poorly covered.
It claims exams were set, marked, and moderated without the academic safeguards required by university rules.
A confidential Senate report attached to the application accuses the University of serious irregularities in teaching, research supervision, and exams, including inconsistent marking, ignored invigilation standards, and skipped or improper grade moderation.
A memo from the Pro-Vice Chancellor, dated May 27, admits there were major gaps in teaching and assessment but recommends continuing with exams to keep the academic calendar on track.
The application also cites evidence of grading discrepancies, where final marks differed greatly from moderated scores without explanation.
Dr Chamburuka said repeated attempts to raise the matter with the UZ Council were ignored, prompting him to file the court application after the graduation date was announced.
The court papers also include a warning from the Council of Social Work that graduates from compromised programmes could be registered as professionals without meeting proper training standards.
The draft order asks the High Court to stop all graduation preparations, order an independent audit, and release the findings before awarding degrees.
The case has not been set down for hearing.
More: ZimLive
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