ZANU PF “Hijacks” Nursing Recruitment Process
A serious controversy has emerged in Zimbabwe’s nursing recruitment system, exposing allegations that ZANU PF officials are manipulating admissions to favor party supporters. What should be a fair, merit-based procedure has turned into one influenced by political loyalty and corruption.
Scandal at Gutu Mission Hospital
The scandal surfaced after an incident at Gutu Mission Hospital, where a student nurse reportedly used a forged certificate to gain admission. The third-year trainee fled the hostels two weeks ago when officials began verifying O-Level results.
Investigations found that the student had only four O-Level passes but had altered the certificate to show six subjects, securing an unauthorized place in the programme.
Corruption and Political Influence
Although nursing schools are officially managed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, insiders say corruption and political interference dominate the recruitment process.
“It is now an open secret that getting into nursing school requires paying a US$1 500 bribe,” said a source close to the recruitment process. “No one gets in without paying. Academic merit is no longer the determining factor.”
The source further alleged that ZANU PF officials now hold significant control over the selection process, raising concerns about the integrity of the country’s healthcare training system.
Author’s Summary
Political corruption has reportedly infiltrated Zimbabwe’s nursing recruitment, replacing merit with bribery and party favoritism, threatening the integrity of healthcare training.