A University of Zimbabwe (UZ) lecturer has taken urgent legal steps to block the institution’s August 15 graduation ceremony, alleging major flaws in exam results due to a recent lecturers’ strike.
Dr. Phillemon M. Chamburuka, speaking for the Association of University Teachers, wants the High Court to order a postponement until an independent forensic audit of the 2024–2025 second semester is completed.
He warns that rushing ahead could tarnish the university’s reputation and risk invalidating some degrees.
According to court filings, the semester was marred by industrial action that left some courses partially taught or untaught.
Exams were set, marked, and moderated without standard safeguards, a problem acknowledged in a May 27 memo from the Pro-Vice Chancellor, which admitted “serious gaps” in the teaching and assessment cycle.
A confidential Senate report cited inconsistent project marking, breaches of invigilation rules, and unexplained grading discrepancies.
Student leaders and professional bodies have also cautioned that graduating under these circumstances could damage the credibility of UZ degrees.
After repeated appeals to the university council went unanswered, Dr. Chamburuka filed the application, seeking to halt all graduation preparations until the audit is completed and its results made public. University officials have yet to comment, and a hearing date is pending.
