By A Correspondent- Former Cabinet Minister Tichaendepi Robert Masaya, has exonerated the former University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Livi Nyagura from corruptly awarding the former First Lady Grace Mugabe with a PhD.

Mr Masaya, who became the dean of the Faculty of Social Social Studies after Mugabe had already been accepted as a student, made the revelations during cross-examination from Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara who is representing Nyagura on allegations of illegally awarding her the PhD degree.

During the cross-examination, Mr Masaya stated that he was appointed as the dean in the Faculty of Social Studies after Mugabe was accepted as a student by the University of Zimbabwe.

He said he had no evidence proving that Nyagura showed favour or disfavour to Mugabe to become a student at the university.

During cross-examination from prosecutor Mr Tapiwa Godzi, Mr Masaya told the court that he only came to know that Mugabe was graduating with a PhD degree after Nyagura had given him a list of students who were graduating that year, saying he should familiarise with her first name which he said was difficult to pronounce.

The ex-Minister also stated that he did not know of Mugabe’s documents up until the graduation period.