Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
CONFUSION surrounds the identity of the person who encashed the late liberation war hero and former Bulawayo City Council employee, Mr Elliot Maphenduka Moyo’s pension cheque in 2005 after his family claimed he never received the money despite records showing the payment was processed and the cheque encashed.
The late Mr Moyo, who worked as a senior bar overseer for the City of Bulawayo, retired on 31 May 1995 after 35 years of service. He died on 3 June 2020, aged 83.
His daughter, Dr Masithokoze Moyo, said despite communication from the Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPF) confirming that a cheque for ZWD$1 559 495,46 was processed on 19 May 2005, her father never received or cashed the money.
“Someone may have forged my father’s signature. For years, our family has sought clarity, accountability and the truth about what happened to Mr Moyo’s pension benefits.
“We are simply asking for the full records to be released and for the responsible authorities to act with transparency, urgency and fairness,” she said.
Dr Moyo alleged that while the lump-sum pension payment was processed, her father did not lawfully receive the funds and may have been a victim of forged documentation.
She said he spent years seeking answers before dying without the matter being resolved.
Bulawayo City Council spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu confirmed that Mr Moyo had been employed by the local authority and that council records indicate that the pension benefits were paid in May 2005.
“The City of Bulawayo further advises that the details of the pension as outlined in your enquiry can be addressed by the Pension Administrator – Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPF),” she said.
Responding to questions from Chronicle, LAPF pension administrator Mr Ostern Pazvakavambwa said the Fund’s records show that Mr Moyo retired from Bulawayo City Council on May 31, 1995 and started receiving his monthly pension from June 1 that year.
He said in 2004 the Fund offered Mr Moyo the option of fully commuting his pension in line with the prevailing legislation and that he accepted the offer in writing on 28 October 2004.
Following receipt of the necessary tax directive, LAPF issued a crossed cheque marked “Not Negotiable” for ZWD$1 559 495,46 on 19 May 2005 and posted it to Mr Moyo’s postal address in Nkulumane.
“LAPF’s records show that the cheque was subsequently presented for payment and the amount was withdrawn from the Fund’s bank account on 17 June 2005. Following the processing of the one-third commutation, Mr Moyo started receiving his monthly pension effective 1 June 1995.
“Based on the preceding events, the Fund concluded that Mr Moyo had been paid his one-third lump sum by
Bulawayo City Council as he continued submitting the required documentation to enable payment of his monthly pension, including annual life certificate forms,” said Mr Pazvakavambwa.
He said the debit reflected on the Fund’s Standard Chartered Bank statement constituted confirmation that the payment had been completed.
Mr Pazvakavambwa said LAPF only became aware of the dispute in 2017, about 12 years after the cheque had been issued, when it received letters from Mr Moyo and the then Ministry responsible for War Veterans alleging that the pensioner had not received the payment.
He said the Fund approached Standard Chartered Bank to establish who had encashed the cheque but was advised that the information could no longer be provided because the bank’s 10-year records retention period had expired.
Mr Pazvakavambwa said Mr Moyo was informed during a telephone conversation in July 2017 that the cheque had been encashed, while the ministry was also advised of the Fund’s position in September that year.
While LAPF maintains that the cheque was successfully presented and paid, the identity of the person who encashed it remains unknown, leaving the family demanding further investigations into what they believe may have been fraudulent access to Mr Moyo’s pension benefits.
