Mugabe not fussed over degrees

HARARE – President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe ‘does not lose sleep’ over threats by some Western universities to strip him of honorary degrees for rights abuses allegedly committed by this government, his spokesperson was quoted as saying yesterday.

Mugabe already has seven degrees earned through his own efforts, sufficient for his needs, George Charamba was quoted as telling the official Herald newspaper. “It is not like the President suffers a crisis of achievement.He has seven solid degrees, which are more than enough to earn him a living and recognition,” said Charamba.”He does not lose sleep over the threats.”Independent websites say moves are afoot to petition Edinburgh University in Scotland as well as the University of Massachusetts and Michigan State University in the United States to strip Mugabe of honorary degrees they gave him in the 1980s and 1990s.One Scottish MP was reportedly preparing a dossier to present to university officials on reasons why Mugabe should face the punitive action, said the Herald.Mugabe’s government has come under heavy criticism internationally for its crackdown on opposition activists as the country’s economic crisis, marked by spiralling inflation, food shortages and worsening poverty, mounts.But Charamba told the Herald: “The President did not accost anyone to confer the honour.”If anything, those Western universities improved their international profile by associating themselves with the President.Sapa-dpa”It is not like the President suffers a crisis of achievement.He has seven solid degrees, which are more than enough to earn him a living and recognition,” said Charamba.”He does not lose sleep over the threats.”Independent websites say moves are afoot to petition Edinburgh University in Scotland as well as the University of Massachusetts and Michigan State University in the United States to strip Mugabe of honorary degrees they gave him in the 1980s and 1990s.One Scottish MP was reportedly preparing a dossier to present to university officials on reasons why Mugabe should face the punitive action, said the Herald.Mugabe’s government has come under heavy criticism internationally for its crackdown on opposition activists as the country’s economic crisis, marked by spiralling inflation, food shortages and worsening poverty, mounts.But Charamba told the Herald: “The President did not accost anyone to confer the honour.”If anything, those Western universities improved their international profile by associating themselves with the President.Sapa-dpa