The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has this week increased fees to ZW$51 088 up from ZW$40 870 just two weeks after the higher learning institution had made a review.
An official at the institution confirmed the development in a telephone interview with Pindula News.
This is happening against the backdrop of soaring inflation that has eroded the salaries of workers across the board.
Fears are that many students will defer their studies as they will be unable to pay the fees.
Commenting on the hike, journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said the fees were beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. He said:
These fees are beyond the reach of an ordinary Zimbabwean. A Junior doctor earns ZW$36 000. This is what we mean when we say the economy has collapsed!
This is happening just days after President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that there shall be free basic education in 2023.
Some observers say the pledge is a political gimmick meant to entice the electorate into voting the ruling ZANU PF again in 2023.