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An initiation ceremony for new undergraduates in Mozambique has caused outrage after photos circulated on social media showing the students being forced to drink and bath in urine and faeces.

Some of the first-year students at Unizambeze's agriculture, forestry and engineering faculty in central Zambezia province also had their heads shaved.

According to privately owned STV, the initiation happened a few days ago.

One victim, Artemiza Nhantumbo, told the broadcaster about her experience:

The initiators cut our hair. It was horrific. It was unbearable. They forced human urine and faeces into our mouths. We were bathed with urine and they rubbed our noses with faeces."

Another student, Quiteria Jorge, said the second-year students pulled them out of their classrooms to do the initiation: They removed our hair because, for them, it was too long. But, we could do nothing. I cried and cried until I got home.”

This has not pleased parents of the students, who have urged the authorities to take measures against the culprits.

Cardoso Miguel, provincial director of higher education, said an investigation was now under way, “As we can see from images on social media, it’s clear that the behaviour this initiation was improper.

"The inquiry committee will assess the degree of involvement of each student - some will probably be suspended, and others may be expelled.”

Initiation ceremonies for new undergraduates are not officially sanctioned but are a common practice at most universities in the country, usually organised by second-year students.