By Farai D Hove| The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Council has with immediate effect suspended Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura over former First Lady Grace Mugabe.

The development is a culmination of efforts by lecturers at the institution who raised the matter soon after Grce’s husband’s removal in November last year. They were shortly after that allegedly victimised by Nyagura himself.

Two weeks later, Nyagura was arrested and as of yesterday sources at the university reveal that Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Pedzisai Mashiri has since been appointed to act as the Vice Chancellor.

“Mashiri is now our Pro-Vice Chancellor,” a senior source told reporters.

Nyagura is accused of abuse of office after he allegedly and unprocedurally awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree to Grace Mugabe in 2014. Mrs Mugabe completed the degree within 3 months of registering for it.

Her husband, Robert was university chancellor at the time.

Nyagura was arrested on Friday 16th February following pressure on the Zimbabwe anti-Corruption Commission over the suspected fraudulent award.