NSSA duped ZWL14 million by employee

Prosper Dembedza

Herald Correspondent

The National Social Security Authority’s Research and Schemes Planning manager Cosmas Chikwawawa has appeared in court on allegations of presenting fake and inflated school fees invoices and defrauding his employer of ZWL14 million.

Chikwawawa appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi on three counts of fraud and was granted US$200 bail.

It is alleged that he presented inflated school fees invoices last year for his three children who are in secondary school.

“The accused claimed school fees for the year 2023 first term for his three children using school fees invoices for Direct Contact College, Harare which were pegged at ZWL 1 852 500 equivalent to US$2 758,97 using the prevailing rate of the day per child while in actual fact his children were at Emmanuel High School, Harare where fees for his three children was US$3 865,” the State alleged.

“As a result of the misrepresentation, the complainant paid ZWL1 852 500 each for the three children, giving a total payment of ZWL $5 557 500 equivalent to US$8 276,91 using the prevailing rate of the day.

“In actual fact the accused was supposed to be paid US$3 865 not ZWL $5 557 500 equivalent to US$8 276,91 using the prevailing rate of the day.”

Due to his misrepresentation, NSSA suffered an actual prejudice of ZWL$2 962 361, 97 equivalent to US$4 411,91 and nothing was recovered.

On the second count, it is alleged that Chikwawawa also misrepresented that his children were learning at Dendera High School in Mudzi where fees were ZWL$539 671, 77 equivalent to US$485 per child.

He allegedly claimed fees using Emmanuel High School invoices where his children were no longer learners, resultantly the accused was paid the entitlement of ZWL$1 713 596,96 equivalent to US$1 540 per child.

It is also alleged that in September 2023, the accused person claimed school fees for the third term for his three children using Cornerstone Executive College invoices.

Fees at Cornerstone Executive College were at US$1 540 equivalent to ZWL$7 091 119, 88 per child and the accused person was paid ZWL$21 273 359,64 equivalent to US$4 620 whereas in actual fact, the accused’s children were enrolled at Wilmar High School, Goromonzi where fees were pegged at US$2 900 for three children.

As a result, NSSA lost ZWL$14 040 089, 63 equivalent to US$9 296,91 and nothing was recovered.