Zimbabwe
Iden Wetherell in Harare
MIRED in intrigue, corruption and controversy, the University of Zimbabwe is rudderless as the hunt for a new vice- chancellor yields few candidates of note willing to take up what has become a troubled command.
The last incumbent, Professor Gordon Chavunduka, quit in April 1996 after the problems at the country’s premier institution of higher learning in Harare, proved intractable.
Corruption in the administration of funds which last year saw losses of
R4-million in payouts to ghost students, political interference, and an exodus of teaching staff has contributed to the decline of what was until recently an institution known for its high standards.
A selection committee appointed by the university council last year shortlisted three candidates which included acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Hill and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura. But an internal audit report recently alleged Nyagura had converted to his own use donor funds intended for a human resources research centre which he headed.
Academics have joined with the university workers’ committee to demand his dismissal.
Nyagura, who has denied the charges, was believed to be the candidate favoured by Higher Education Minister Ignatious Chombo who recently said that the selection process would take as long as was necessary to find the right candidate.
The selection process has been characterised by an absence of transparency and bitter rivalry among the candidates. President Robert Mugabe as university chancellor will make the final choice.
Appointments to senior positions have become increasingly politicised after Parliament passed the University of Zimbabwe (Amendment) Act in 1990, scrapping the royal charter establishing the university and giving the government far- reaching powers over its administration. The council is now dominated by state nominees.
Mugabe, who sees the university as a seat of opposition, was reportedly stung into tightening his reins on the institution by student demonstrations against corruption. Increased state control has been accompanied by declining administrative standards and growing factionalism.
Newspapers regularly carry reports of misappropriation of funds at the university, but despite police investigations few prosecutions are brought.
Over R5-million went missing from a distance education scheme in 1995 in a case still not fully resolved.
Observers say a suitable candidate for vice-chancellor would have to be able to unite a badly divided academic community and be of sufficient stature to tell the politicians to let go.
Speculation has centred on Professor Hasu Patel, a political scientist who had a long career at the university before his appointment as Zimbabwe’s high commissioner to Australia where his term is due to end shortly.
In addition to a sound record as an academic and as an administrator he has another important attribute – he is a member of the ruling Zanu-PF party.