Source: Nyagura case postponed – DailyNews Live
Tarisai Machakaire 20 June 2018
HARARE – The case of University of Zimbabwe (UZ) vice chancellor Levi
Nyagura, who is being charged with corruptly awarding a PhD to former
first lady Grace Mugabe, has been postponed to June 22 pending his trial.
He appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzayi Mugwagwa on charges of
criminal abuse of office.
Nyagura, through his lawyer Lewsi Uriri, had previously demanded that the
investigations officer in his case ought to be called to explain how he
formulated reasonable suspicion against him in the absence of documents
linking him to the offence.
He also argued that there was no basis for going to trial on a case that
had no complainant after the Higher Education ministry – cited as
complainants – denied having association with the complaint lodged against
Nyagura.
However, the application was thrown out and he is due to stand trial for
the allegations.
“If the investigations officer who is the State witness were to be called
by the State it would mean that the same State would have to cross examine
their own witness. The State has clearly put out elements of the charge
and linked each element to allegations that appear on the form 242,” the
court ruled.
“Whether procedures were followed or not, those are trial issues but the
court will rule that there is a reasonable suspicion that the accused
person did what he is alleged to have done.”
According to State papers, sometime in 2011 Nyagura single-handedly
accepted and approved Mugabe’s application to study for a PhD in Sociology
without the knowledge of the Department Board and Faculty of Higher
Degrees Committee.
The court heard that Nyagura then appointed professors Mararike and
Chaneta to supervise Mugabe’s thesis without the board’s approval.
It was alleged that Nyagura further usurped powers and appointed examiners
in violation of the University of Zimbabwe Act Chapter 25:16 and
Ordinances 1998/99 volume 11 which gives that prerogative to the Senate
Committee.
Sometime in 2014, Nyagura allegedly led supervisors and examiners to
Mugabe’s Mazowe Estate where the defence oral examination was purportedly
done without knowledge and approval of the academic committee.
According to State papers, the oral examination is supposed to be
conducted at UZ premises.
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