Govt not done with PSMAS

Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT is not done with solving the “rot” at Premier Service Medical Aid Society despite sacking chief executive Dr Cuthbert Dube and board chair Mrs Meisie Makeletso Namasasu.The Office of the President and Cabinet has already started investigations on parastatals to establish the packages paid to top executives.
Dr Dube was forced into retirement while Mrs Namasasu was relieved of her duties when it emerged that the former was earning a basic monthly salary of US$230 000.

Indications are that the package was agreed on by Dr Dube and Mrs Namasasu — who has also left the board — as per “traditional” practice at the society.

Yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa fielded questions from National Assembly members who wanted to know what Government was doing about PSMAS.

Harare West legislator Ms Jessie Majome (MDC-T), Hurungwe West MP Cde Themba Mliswa and his Mutasa South counterpart, Cde Irene Zindi (both Zanu-PF), asked if the sacking of Dr Dube marked the end of the matter.

They also wanted to know what mechanisms Government was putting in place to restore public confidence in PSMAS.
“The board at this particular medical aid met a few days ago and after that they dismissed their chief executive,” said Dr Parirenyatwa. “But perhaps we want to go further. As a ministry we will be able to put this issue to rest in a way that satisfies not only of members of this medical aid society but in a way that is good for this country.

“It is true that the board fired the chief executive. But clearly to us that is their own in-house arrangement. We, as Government have not come up with what direction to take but I can assure you, we are taking the direction that will satisfy the Zimbabwean population, the people who contribute, the members of the society.

“So, as far as Government is concerned that arrangement that they did is their own arrangement, in-house.”
He said his ministry would be able to report back on the way forward as soon as they were done with their investigations.
Mkoba MP Mr Amos Chibaya asked Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa what Government policy was on parastatals bosses who paid themselves “hefty” salaries.

“An exercise has started through the Office of the President and Cabinet to investigate the remunerations given to all parastatals. When that exercise is complete, we will be able to formulate what to do with those who have been paying themselves above the reasonable levels of remuneration,” said Minister Chinamasa.