Mzuni asks alumnus to return degree

Mzuzu University (Mzuni) has asked one of its alumni to surrender a degree certificate he obtained after the High Court discharged leave for judicial review and vacated an injunction that restrained the institution from expelling him.

In 2014, the alumnus Clement Chafulumira—then a fourth-year Land Management student—was expelled for cheating in an examination.

But he obtained an injunction restraining the university from effecting the expulsion, and was also granted leave for judicial review. He continued his studies and graduated.

However, Mzuni lawyer Godfrey Nyirenda applied to vacate both leave for judicial review and the injunction after noting that Chafulumira had stayed for over a year without having the matter heard.

In December last year, the court vacated the injunction and discharged the leave for judicial review, and further ordered Chafulumira to return the original degree certificate he was given.

In response to a questionnaire on Thursday, Mzuni vice-chancellor Robert Ridley said the university has asked Chafulumira to return the degree, saying the communication has been made through his lawyer.

“We have asked for the degree certificate to be returned. Any further action is dependent on the University Council,” he said.

Nyirenda said discharging of the leave and vacation of the injunction means Chafulumira is no longer a Mzuni graduate.

Chafulumira’s lawyer Darlington Shaibu said the university has not yet communicated to him about the intention to withdraw the degree, adding that he has also not been in touch with Chafulumira to discuss the way forward.

“I have not received any communication officially from the university. I also haven’t sat down with my client to get instructions on how we should proceed,” he said.