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Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
Government wants the five National Social Security Authority (NSSA) executives who were sacked last month on allegations of corruption and mismanagement to face criminal charges for their questionable investment decisions.
The new NSSA board chaired by Mr Robin Vela, sacked general manager Mr James Matiza, and directors Mr Shadreck Vera (investments), Mr Patrick Mupani (finance), Mr Tendai Mafunda (corporate services) and Mr Bright Chidyagwai (ICT) on allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Priscah Mupfumira, told Members of Parliament who attended the pre-budget seminar in Victoria Falls that preliminary results of a forensic audit revealed gross-mismanagement.
“In 2012 there was a forensic audit but we have only seen it now with the new board that have gone back to look at the findings and recommendations of the forensic audit that were never implemented,” she said.
“This new board has instituted a forensic audit and preliminary results have resulted in the board getting rid of the top five management.
“Yes, if somebody is found to be on the wrong side of the law, they will be dealt with though we are not rushing to say you are guilty of this or that. But we are seeing the shenanigans in the preliminary report so some will definitely be taken to court.
“NSSA was bled for years. If the 2012 forensic audit had been implemented, we wouldn’t have wasted money in Capital Bank where they put $25 million and a house that they bought on Borrowdale Road for over $30 million when we needed money for developmental projects.”
Minister Mupfumira said NSSA had for years been dogged by governance deficiencies that seriously impacted on its capital base and eroded the public’s confidence in the authority.
She said the new board was expected to redirect NSSA’s operations so that it focused on its core mandate and invest in developmental projects.
“There is recognition that the capital must be protected at all costs and there must be a marked improvement in investment income so that the funds under management can grow with investment income utilised to meet current funds liabilities and principally to pensioners and potentially have the capacity to improve payments to living pension levels.
“Most of the NSSA money was going to salaries and wages when they gave themselves about 20 benefits while pensioners were being given $60 which is not a living allowance. That is what the board is addressing.
“We have restricted NSSA so that it refocuses on its mandate, in the process, stop the bleeding of resources and deliver a living pension. It’s going to be a painful process but we have started,” said Minister Mupfumira.
There are also allegations that the forensic audit also discovered that Mr Matiza and his team awarded themselves salaries way above the $6 000 stipulated by Government.
There are also claims that some executives were getting a second salary from NSSA’s investment arm on top of benefits like interest-free housing and car loans, tuition fees for children and salaries for home security guards and domestic workers.
It is alleged that their lovers, too, non-procedurally accessed loans.
Further, it is said Mr Matiza received $330 120 for a Borrowdale mansion, and $232 055,10 to buy a Mercedes-Benz S350.
Auditors gathered that eight top-level managers also received housing loans and $107 307, 54 each to purchase Jeep Grand Cherokees.
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