My wife faces 'PhD persecution,' says former Zimbabwe leader

World
Europe

‍Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe said his wife Grace Mugabe has cried everyday as the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) wants Grace nabbed over her PhD that was awarded by the University of Zimbabwe, according to the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper.

Mugabe said that his wife’s PhD was hard won when talking with Moussa Faki Mahamat, the African Union commission chairman. "I used to see her here working hard day and night," he said. "I would assist her here and there, so how can someone wake up and claim she didn’t work for it? This is harassment."

The former president also told the chairman that he and his family were no longer safe in Zimbabwe.

"They told you I was safe, but how can I be in this environment?" he asked the AU chairman. "My wife is crying daily. They are persecuting her. What am I without my wife and family? We are not safe."

November 8, 2017: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (L) addresses party members and supporters gathered at his party headquarters to show support to Grace Mugabe (R) becoming the party's next vice president. /VCG Photo

The University of Zimbabwe vice-chancellor, Levi Nyagura, has recently been arrested by the country’s anti-corruption committee over his role in supervising the alleged facilitation of Grace’s PhD in 2014.

MDC spokesperson, Kurauone Chihwayi, said in a statement on the weekend, "As MDC, it is our conviction that the real culprit here is Grace Mugabe. We believe she initiated the whole embarrassing academic scandal. In our view Grace is accused number one."

"We are aware that the court heard in 2011 how Nyagura approved Grace’s application without the knowledge and recommendations of the departmental board and faculty of higher degrees committee. That was in violation of UZ (University of Zimbabwe) quality assurance guidelines and benchmark," Chihwayi added.

The row began when Mrs Mugabe reportedly gained a PhD in sociology three months after enrollment.

Mr. Mugabe celebrated his 94th birthday on Saturday at his Harare mansion and claimed his removal by military members of his own party "unconstitutional."