The Harare Institute of Public Health (HIPH) has strongly objected to a recent public statement issued by the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ), which disassociated itself from HIPH’s nursing assistant training programmes.
HIPH is now demanding that the notice be withdrawn and an official apology be issued.
The NCZ’s statement, which claimed the council had no regulatory connection with HIPH in relation to nurse training, has sparked concern among students and partners linked to the institute.
Representing HIPH, legal practitioner Lovemore Madhuku accused the council of causing unnecessary distress and confusion. He issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the NCZ to retract its notice and apologize publicly, warning that legal action for defamation would follow if the demands are not met.
In a letter dated July 24, Madhuku characterized the NCZ’s public disavowal as a deeply damaging and defamatory act.
“The previously held respect, credibility, and public confidence in my client have been significantly diminished among right-minded members of society,” Madhuku stated in the legal correspondence.
He further demanded that the NCZ not only apologize and retract the statement but also remove it from all digital platforms and social media accounts.
Retlaw Matorwa, assistant registrar at HIPH, defended the legitimacy of their training programmes, clarifying that their nursing assistant course is accredited and overseen by the Higher Examinations Council (HEXCO) — a regulatory body under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development.
Matorwa condemned the NCZ’s remarks, stating:
“The misleading statement from the council has caused considerable damage to HIPH’s reputation, unjustly portraying the institution as unprofessional and dishonest.”
He added that the council’s claims have negatively affected the institute’s public image and could undermine the trust of current and prospective students.
HIPH is now calling for the NCZ to urgently address the issue by correcting the misinformation and helping restore the institute’s good standing within the academic and public health communities.
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