The rector of Zambezi University, Bettencourt Preto Sebastião Capace, is alleged to have embezzled around 51 million meticais intended to pay for internships for students on the medical course at the university.

The Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD) clarifies that the amount was intended for 46 students who, having completed the rest of the course in 2023, "should move on to the integrated clinical practice internship phase, as one of the requirements for obtaining a degree."

In a bulletin on national policy, the Non-Governmental Organization says that the Ministry of Health allocated the amount to Zambezi University, but in March 2023, the Rector of the institution met with the students to inform them of the lack of budget to support the internship.

"He also said that, instead of the students signing a contract, they could start the internship by signing a declaration, and the content of this declaration alluded to the fact that as soon as the institution had funds, it would be possible to sign contracts with the students and, after signing, the allowances resulting from the professional internship would be paid," it reads.

The students signed the declarations and began their internship in September of the same year. Later, knowing that the money existed and wanting to sign a contract in accordance with the letter of the law, they presented their interest to the Rector. However, the Rector said that the money was intended to pay other students who had already completed their internships.

Their indignation led the students to the MISAU on February 27, where they learned of the amount allocated. They asked the University for an audience with the Rector, but have so far received no response.