the first head of the university was william rollo, who served as interim principal from 1953 to 1955. the first substantive principal was sir walter adams, who served from 1955 until 1966 and was later director of the london school of economics. adams was succeeded by terence miller, who lasted a mere two years as his racially progressive views brought him into conflict with the rhodesian government. his successor, scottish theologian robert craig, who later was moderator of the general assembly of the church of scotland, served from 1969 to 1980. leonard j. lewis served as principal for around a year during the transition to zimbabwe's independence. he was succeeded in 1981 by law professor walter kamba, who became vice–chancellor, the post created to replace that of principal. like miller, kamba clashed with the government and announced his resignation at the 1992 graduation ceremony, in a speech that cited government interference in the university and threats to academic freedom. he was succeeded by gordon chavunduka until 1996, and then by graham hill from 1997 to 2002. levi nyagura, the longest-serving vice–chancellor, held the office from 2003 to 2018, when he was suspended on charges that he unprocedurally awarded a phd degree to former first lady grace mugabe. president emmerson mnangagwa appointed agricultural engineering professor paul mapfumo as acting vice–chancellor in august 2018.