Mnangagwa Law School opens in August

The newly constructed Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School in Kwekwe is set to become fully operational within the next two months as Midlands State University (MSU) prepares to relocate its Faculty of Law from the main campus in Gweru ahead of the August 2026 academic semester.

The move marks a significant milestone in the development of legal education in Zimbabwe and is expected to strengthen Kwekwe's position as a growing centre for higher learning and professional training.

Speaking in an interview, MSU Pro-Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Campus Development, Dr Gift Manyatera, said all law lectures, tutorials and administrative operations would be transferred to the new facility when students return for the next semester.

"The new law school will feature moot courts, lecture theatres, a law library, clinical legal education units and digital research facilities," said Dr Manyatera.

"Moving to the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School will enhance our capacity to train legal practitioners who are equipped for the demands of the 21st century."

The state-of-the-art campus was developed as part of the university's expansion programme aimed at increasing capacity and providing modern teaching and learning infrastructure.

Beyond the Faculty of Law, the Kwekwe campus will also accommodate the Faculties of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Built Environment.

Dr Manyatera confirmed that the university's 2026 graduation ceremony will once again be held at the Kwekwe campus, following last year's historic event that marked the first time MSU conducted a graduation ceremony outside its main campus in Gweru.

"Graduands, parents and stakeholders are expected to gather at the new campus for the event. The relocation is expected to ease pressure on the Gweru main campus and position Kwekwe as a hub for legal training in the region," he said.

The university has already opened applications for admission into the law programme, which enrolls approximately 120 students per intake. MSU also offers two Master's degree programmes in law, attracting around 30 students annually.

Located on a 220-hectare site along the old Gokwe Road, the campus has the capacity to accommodate up to 600 students and features a wide range of facilities designed to support both academic and residential life.

According to Dr Manyatera, the self-contained, double-storey complex includes lecture rooms, moot courts, a modern library, student hostels, a kitchen, a health facility and staff accommodation.

Construction of the facility began in 2023 and forms part of broader efforts to expand access to higher education while improving the quality of teaching and research infrastructure.

The campus was officially commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year.

University officials say the law school is expected to play an important role in producing highly skilled legal professionals capable of contributing to Zimbabwe's development agenda and strengthening the country's justice system.

The institution is also viewed as supporting the objectives of Vision 2030 by developing the human capital needed to drive economic growth, governance reforms and national development.

As preparations for the relocation gather pace, the opening of the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School is expected to usher in a new era for legal education in Zimbabwe, providing students with access to world-class facilities and creating one of the country's most advanced centres for legal training and research.