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Herald Reporter
Police yesterday arrested top Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) officials, but the number rounded up and the precise charges could not be obtained last night.
The bosses spent the night in custody and a detailed statement is expected today along with other details likely to be given when they are brought to court.
National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests last night, but declined to divulge more details.
“I can confirm that there are some PSMAS officials that are assisting police with investigations. We will release a detailed statement tomorrow,” he said.
There have been worrying issues of mismanagement at PSMAS, with members who contribute towards medical cover being frequently charged co-payments although a huge jump in subscription rates two months ago may have ameliorated this.
Government has since ordered a detailed forensic audit to be conducted to establish the magnitude of mismanagement at PSMAS and just what has been happening as money meant for medical care has been channelled into other assets that have nothing to do with health.
The Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Unions representatives sought to block the forensic audit but failed.
Some officials of the public sector unions sit on some of the boards associated with PSMAS.
The Government pays a high percentage of each civil service member’s monthly subscription.
The forensic audit came against the background that PSMAS was deviating from its founding objectives, and had failed in successive years to provide healthcare services to members while seeking to invest in gold mining, micro-finance and other non-health business ventures while allowing clinics to close.
Online Reporter