Midlands State University (MSU) has reportedly dismissed nine lecturers from its Department of Media, Communication, Film and Theatre Arts following disciplina...
Midlands State University (MSU) has reportedly dismissed nine lecturers from its Department of Media, Communication, Film and Theatre Arts following disciplinary proceedings over alleged examination irregularities and gross incompetence.
The reported dismissals followed an internal disciplinary process in which 13 lecturers were initially charged before the proceedings resulted in nine of them being dismissed. The matter has not been publicly confirmed by the university, which has declined to comment on the individual employment cases, citing confidentiality.
MSU Acting Director of Marketing and Communications Kudakwashe Bhowa said the university could not discuss the reported disciplinary outcomes because they concerned private contractual and human resources matters. “Thank you for the inquiry. These are private contractual and human resources matters between the university and the individuals concerned,” Bhowa said. He added that the institution did not publicly comment on individual staffing matters in line with its confidentiality obligations and institutional policy.
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The reported disciplinary action is understood to have centred on examination papers prepared by some of the lecturers. Sources familiar with the matter alleged that the papers contained significant errors, including incorrect instructions on the sections students were required to answer during examinations.
According to one source, examination papers instructed students to answer all questions in Section B and all three questions in Section B. The source said the intended instructions were for students to answer all questions in Section A and three questions in Section B. The alleged errors raised concerns about the accuracy and quality of examination materials prepared for students.
The source further alleged that the lecturers did not promptly correct the errors after they were identified. The examination papers were reportedly found to contain numerous mistakes, while some lecturers were allegedly absent from examination venues during the sitting of papers for which they were responsible.
“Some lecturers were absent from the examination venue during the sitting of their respective papers, contrary to university regulations, which make attendance compulsory,” the source said. The source also alleged that there was a failure to address the mistakes in the examination papers in a timely manner.
The reported absenteeism and examination errors formed part of the concerns raised during the disciplinary process. However, the university has not publicly confirmed the specific allegations against individual lecturers, nor has it released details of the evidence considered by the disciplinary panel.
Another source familiar with the matter said disciplinary proceedings were initially instituted against 13 lecturers. Following the hearings, nine lecturers were reportedly dismissed, while the outcome involving the remaining lecturers was not disclosed.
The identities of the lecturers reportedly dismissed have also not been released. MSU has maintained that matters relating to individual staff members are confidential, meaning the university has not publicly provided details about the disciplinary findings or the sanctions imposed on each individual.
The reported case comes against the background of the responsibility placed on universities and academic staff to ensure that examination processes are properly administered. Examination papers are an important part of the assessment process, and errors in instructions can potentially create confusion for students sitting examinations. Attendance by responsible academic staff during examinations is also subject to institutional regulations, according to the information provided in the case.
However, the allegations remain subject to the university’s internal disciplinary process and should not be treated as established facts against the affected lecturers beyond the reported outcome. MSU has not publicly confirmed the allegations or provided an official account of the disciplinary findings.
The university’s decision not to comment on the reported dismissals means there is currently limited publicly available information about the disciplinary proceedings. It is also unclear from the information available what action, if any, was taken against the four lecturers who were initially charged but were reportedly not among those dismissed.
The reported dismissals have drawn attention to issues surrounding academic standards, examination administration and professional conduct within higher education institutions. For students, the accuracy of examination papers and proper supervision of examinations are central to ensuring that assessment processes are conducted fairly and according to institutional requirements.
The matter also highlights the distinction between allegations raised during disciplinary proceedings and findings that can be independently verified. While sources have provided details about the alleged examination errors and absenteeism, MSU has not publicly confirmed those claims or released the disciplinary panel’s findings.
At the time of publication, the university had not released the names of the affected lecturers, the detailed findings of the disciplinary panel or a public statement confirming that nine members of the Department of Media, Communication, Film and Theatre Arts had been dismissed.
For now, the reported outcome remains based on information from sources familiar with the disciplinary proceedings, while MSU’s official position is that individual staffing matters are private contractual and human resources issues. The university’s position leaves the full details of the case undisclosed.
