GWERU — The Midlands State University (MSU) has defended its engagement of The Patriot’s editor-in-chief Charles Pfukwa as a lecturer and executive dean in the Faculty of Arts, saying the latter was appointed on merit.
MSU registrar Erasmus Mupfiga told NewsDay last week the institution’s lecturers were expected to serve their communities with research projects in addition to their core business of teaching as long as there was no conflict of interest.
In the media briefing handout under the Faculty of Arts (activities) which Pfukwa heads, the latter is described as being on “national duty” at The Patriot.
The newspaper has been labelled a Zanu PF mouthpiece alongside other State-run media organisations. It is edited by another perceived Zanu PF apologist, Alexander Kanengoni.
“That he (Pfukwa) is working for The Patriot newspaper, a privately-owned organisation, is part of the university’s mandate for our staff to serve communities,” Mupfiga said.
“It is within the university’s regulations and we have the powers to say that staff member remits 10% of his earnings or whatever amount we agree upon as long as his or her engagement with that organisation is not in conflict with MSU interests and values. Maybe national duty was an overstatement, but basically we are saying he is serving the community.”
This follows reports that some lecturers and students had complained over Pfukwa’s erratic attendance to duty at the university.
