HIT Official Under Fire for Favouring Relative

Staff Reporter

Fresh controversy has erupted at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) amid allegations that the institution’s Acting Pro Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Mr Willard Gwarimbo, is manipulating academic processes to favour a relative who was reportedly never registered as a student during the 2024–2025 academic year.

A student source familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, alleged that Trevor Biri, believed to be related to Gwarimbo, has been allowed to progress to final-year studies despite failing to meet basic academic requirements.

According to the source, Biri, introduced as a third-year Financial Engineering student, was not registered for either semester in the past academic year and did not undertake the mandatory industrial attachment programme.

Yet, he has allegedly been directed by Gwarimbo to attend fourth-year lectures, a move students say blatantly undermines HIT regulations.

“Trevor was not on the system last year. He did not do internship and was not assessed, yet he is in class with us. It’s unfair and goes against everything we’ve been told about academic integrity,” one student said.

Suppressed results The controversy has deepened after four students claimed that their internship results were mysteriously removed from the university’s online portal.

They allege the move is part of a cover-up to justify Biri’s inclusion in what has been described as a “structured internship repeat programme.”

If adopted, this arrangement would see Biri and the four students repeating their attachment while simultaneously pursuing fourth-year studies — a practice the students insist has no basis in HIT’s academic policies.

“We have not been given any official explanation. This is a violation of our rights as students. We are being punished for following the rules, while someone who never registered is being rewarded,” one of the affected students said.

Alleged external interference Students further claim that Biri’s father recently flew in from South Africa to meet with Gwarimbo.

Soon after, the Acting Pro Vice Chancellor reportedly secured accommodation for Biri and pressed for his inclusion in final-year classes. “Trevor is openly bragging that he’ll graduate because he has guarantees from Gwarimbo.

He says the Acting Pro Vice Chancellor even phoned him, telling him to stay in class no matter what,” the student source added.

Previous allegations This is not the first time Gwarimbo’s conduct has come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, press reports accused him of corruption, nepotism, and sexual misconduct. HIT issued a statement promising to investigate, but insiders say no internal inquiry was ever conducted.

“He is untouchable,” said a source close to the administration. “The Vice Chancellor and the university Board shield him. As a result, he acts with impunity.” Students threaten legal action the four affected students have indicated they are considering legal action if the matter is not addressed urgently.

“We are not going to let this slide. This is about fairness and integrity. HIT is setting a dangerous precedent by protecting one student at the expense of others,” one of them said. Efforts to obtain comment from HIT administration and Mr Gwarimbo were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

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