Manyeruke professorship raises stench

The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has been plunged into yet another storm as academic, Charity Manyeruke, widely believed to be aligned to ruling party Zanu-PF, has been controversially promoted to Professor of Political Science.

Academics and students have expressed grave doubts over Manyeruke's publications record and whether it qualifies her to be accorded professorship, amid reports that the Academic Promotions Committee had turned down her application but Vice Chancellor Professor Levy Nyagura went ahead and unilaterally conferred Manyeruke the honour.  

This fresh controversy comes hot on the heels of the university's scandalous conferment of a doctorate of philosophy degree to First Lady Grace Mugabe who is said to have completed the higher degree in a record three months.  

Grace's degree award drew the ire of the academic fraternity and general citizenry, as there was no proof she had gone through the necessary academic rigor to earn a doctorate, amid suspicion she was awarded the degree because of her standing in society.

Despite repeated calls the UZ has failed to produce details of when the First Lady was admitted for studies or a record of her thesis.