Clandestine talks open law degree door for 13‑point student

Questions have emerged over the circumstances surrounding the admission of a student to study law at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) after he revealed that he secured a place following what he described as private negotiations between Deputy Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda and the university.

Nkosiphile Sibanda, who is currently pursuing a law degree at GZU, said he obtained 13 points, which he acknowledged were not enough to secure admission into the competitive programme under the expected entry requirements.

He said his determination to study law led him to approach Hon Sibanda, whom he met while working as a merchandiser at Best Supermarket in Turk Mine. Sibanda said he told the deputy minister about his ambition to become a lawyer despite falling short of the required points.

"I am currently pursuing law at Great Zimbabwe University because of the assistance I got from Hon Sibanda," he said. "I approached him and told him about my aspiration of pursuing law despite the fact that I did not have enough points."

He said Hon Sibanda subsequently intervened and engaged GZU over his admission, paving the way for him to enrol for the law degree. "I had 13 points and that was not enough. Fortunately, Hon Sibanda came to my rescue by negotiating with GZU and because of those negotiations, I was granted the opportunity of pursuing my dream career," he said.

The account raises questions about how students who fall short of expected entry points can gain access to competitive university programmes through interventions by senior Government officials. While Sibanda described the intervention positively, the circumstances surrounding the negotiations remain unclear, including whether his admission was granted through an established university exemption or another formal mechanism.

Sibanda expressed gratitude to the deputy minister, saying the intervention changed the course of his academic career. "Ngiyambonga uHon ngosizo owangipha lona, and I wish the Lord continues to bless him," he said.

The case highlights the tension between maintaining university admission standards and providing opportunities to students whose academic points fall short but who demonstrate strong motivation to pursue particular careers. It also raises broader questions about transparency and consistency in university admissions, particularly where intervention by influential individuals results in access to programmes for which applicants may not ordinarily qualify.

GZU could not be reached for comment.

This development feeds into wider national conversations around university admissions transparency and education governance.