Fired lecturers on the offensive

Twelve academics who won a $55-million lawsuit against Solusi University after being fired for going on strike have taken a swipe at the vice-chancellor.

The lecturers accuse Professor Norman Maphosa of the university, which is owned by the Seventh Day Adventist church, of fraud and nepotism.

Maphosa, who is also the chairman of Zimsec - the national schools examination board - is being accused of dubiously awarding honorary doctorates to individuals.

In a statement the expelled lecturers wrote: "Prof Maphosa has unilaterally conferred honorary doctorates on individuals without following the university's laid-down procedures, where candidates are vetted and voted on for their suitability by the General Faculty Assembly for the award of the same. How legitimate are those honorary doctorates awarded so far?"

The lecturers alleged the vice- chancellor went around the system to enrol his wife for a Masters degree at the same institution.

"Prof Maphosa abused his position as vice-chancellor by allowing his wife to do a Masters degree without an undergraduate degree, just a simple general nursing certificate from Harare Hospital," they added.

They also questioned his appointment to the board of Zimsec. They suggested that the Minister of Education Sports and Culture, David Coltart, acted in an unprofessional manner.

"Prof Maphosa was appointed Zimsec chairman by the Ministry of Education headed by Senator David Coltart, whereas Solusi University retains Webb Low and Barry, a firm owned by the senator, as its legal team and advisor in direct conflict of interest," they wrote.

Responding to the accusations Coltart said he did not have a direct link with the law firm as he was not involved in its day-to-day running and he does not get benefits from it.

"I am a part-owner of the law firm but I can tell you that I am not directly linked to it. I last got money from it last year in February," said Coltart.

The lecturers claim that the downturn in the university's fortunes should be blamed on Maphosa. "First-year student enrolment at Solusi is down to 15 students from the usual 700 to 1000. This is a cause of concern for the collapsing institution and is due to bad governance," they said.

Maphosa could not be reached for comment.