Mzuzu University (Mzuni) has suspended some of its administrative staff members over allegations of academic fraud which the institution is currently investigating.
The institution has also withheld the graduation on January 9 2026 of 55 students out of a group of 103 whose Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) portals were compromised.
In a statement last evening, Mzuni said the institution’s lawyers, with support from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) are investigating the matter.
The statement said the IMIS in September 2025 detected some changes to the portals of 103 students, after which the matter was reported to the Institutional Integrity Committee (IIC) for investigation.
It said the discrepancies were immediately reversed and the concerned student portals were blocked to facilitate the investigations.
Reads in part the statement: “Currently, the investigations are continuing with technical support from the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Mzuzu University Legal Counsel. None of the suspected students is a first class award candidate which, in the social media claims, would be equated to a distinction.
“Such students were duly informed of their situation and they are providing information to the investigating team. As at now, no final position has been taken regarding the suspected students.”
The statement further said the suspected staff members will be heard in compliance with the rules of natural justice, stressing that no member of staff will be shielded.
“The ICC is expected to conclude investigations and present its report by the end of this month.
“We are committed to sharing key findings with our key stakeholders at that time in line with our dedication to transparency and accountability,” reads the statement.
Meanwhile, a letter we have seen signed by Mzuni registrar Yonamu Ngwira and addressed to one of the students said the University Senate resolved to withhold their end-of-year examination results and asked them to cooperate with the IIC during the probe.
The letter said the investigations will be concluded within six weeks after which the affected students will be informed of actions that may be taken.
Lecturers and other staff members who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity said two staff members were suspended (names withheld), including one who worked in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department.
Mzuzu University Students Representative Council president George Kamadyaapa said they have requested for a meeting with the university’s management on the matter.
Reacting to the development, Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe said the incident exposes systemic governance and control gaps rather than a wholesale collapse of tertiary education standards.
He said it underscores the need to strengthen internal safeguards and universities should strengthen ICT systems with strict access controls and audit trails, separate duties across examinations and results management, conduct regular integrity audits, and enforce clear sanctions.
“Academic fraud strikes at the heart of institutional credibility, and decisive action against both complicit administrators and beneficiaries is essential to restore trust. Due process must be swift and fair, but outcomes must be firm to deter future abuse and reaffirm integrity.
“While suspensions and investigations signal seriousness, the implications are far-reaching: compromised qualifications, reputational damage to the university, and erosion of public confidence in graduates,” he said.
Education expert Limbani Nsapato agreed with Kondowe, saying there is need for the university to uphold high ethical and professional standards, noting that the tampering of grades has put the institution’s integrity at stake.
“In the long run, these issues can negatively affect the quality of education and drop the institution’s rankings at world and continental level.
“While we commend Mzuni management for taking action, we would like to call upon the ACB to investigate if the matter can be punishable by law. We need to ensure that the malpractice does not spill over to other institutions of higher learning,” he said.
