Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo
Midlands Bureau
THE newly constructed Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School in Kwekwe will be fully operational in the next two months when Midlands State University moves its Faculty of Law from the main campus in Gweru in August, an official has said.
The state-of-the-art school is a major landmark in the country’s legal education. Its primary importance lies in decentralising higher education, fostering ethical legal professionals, and advancing the national development agenda.
In an interview, the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Campus Development at MSU, Dr Gift Manyatera, said the relocation marks a new chapter for the faculty, which has grown rapidly since it was established.
He said all law lectures, tutorials and administrative operations will be moved to the new facility when the 2026 academic semester resumes in August.
“The new law school will feature moot courts, lecture theatres, a law library, clinical legal education units and digital research facilities.
“Moving to the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School will enhance our capacity to train legal practitioners who are equipped for the demands of the 21st century,” he said.
The campus, named after President Mnangagwa, was constructed to expand capacity and provide modern teaching infrastructure.
Dr Manyatera said the new campus will not only house the Faculty of Law, but also the faculties of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as the Built Environment.
He said the MSU 2026 graduation ceremony will be held in Kwekwe again.
“Graduands, parents and stakeholders are expected to gather at the new campus for the event. The relocation is expected to ease pressure on the Gweru main campus and position Kwekwe as a hub for legal training in the region,” he said.
He said the university has already invited applications for the law school, which trains at least 120 students per intake.
“We also offer two master’s programmes with 30 students annually,” he said.
The Kwekwe Campus was commissioned by President Mnangagwa last year. The ceremony was historic as it marked the first time the University has held a graduation ceremony outside its Main Campus in Gweru.
The prestigious institution is poised to revolutionise the law education sector and play a vital role in achieving Vision 2030.
Situated on a 220-hectare campus along the old Gokwe Road in Kwekwe, the new Law School will serve as a hub for legal excellence, attracting talented individuals from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
With a capacity to accommodate 600 students, the institution is expected to significantly contribute to the country’s legal landscape.
As a beacon of legal education, the Law School will not only provide quality education but also foster a new generation of legal professionals who will drive national development.
The MSU Law School embodies the Government’s dedication to education and national development, aligning seamlessly with Vision 2030’s goal of propelling Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
By equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills, this esteemed institution will play a pivotal role in moulding the nation’s future leaders and shaping the country’s trajectory.
Dr Manyatera said construction started in 2023, adding that the self-contained, double-storey campus will feature lecture rooms, moot courts, a library, hostels, a kitchen, a hospital and staff quarters among other essential facilities.
President Mnangagwa’s legal expertise and reforms have left an indelible mark on the justice system; hence, the law school is a fitting tribute to his legacy.
The President also advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, having survived the death penalty during the liberation struggle on a technicality.
