HARARE – The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has suspended general manager, Arthur Manase, to pave way for a wide-scale investigation into alleged abuse of office and the looting of public funds worth US$ millions.
The NSSA board has, in the interim, appointed NSSA director of occupational safety and health Charles Shava as acting general manager to ensure business continuity while the investigation takes place.
NSSA’s image is currently in tatters due to perennial allegations of looting of public funds by top executives.
This comes pensioners continue to receive payouts below the poverty line.
At the same time NSSA directors and former directors are reportedly paid yearly holiday allowances of US$15,000 per individual, as well as high school fees allowances running into millions per year.
In a notice on Monday, NSSA chairman Percy Toriro said the challenges were multi-layered and could be attributable to a variety of factors.
“Different State entities, including the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, have been seized with the issues. The board has also been seized with the issues. The board has also been conducting its own investigations into the allegations.
“A comprehensive investigation has been instituted to get to the bottom of the matters.
“To support this and ensure that the exercise is conducted in an independent and transparent environment, the board is sending the general manager on leave until the exercise is complete,” he said.
Manase allegedly received a US$750 000 housing loan, but continued to draw US$2 500 monthly in housing allowance to service the loan despite the fact that he already owns a home.
Top executives at the social security fund manager that looks after billions of dollars contributed by workers during years of active employment as well as investments from the compulsory collections were recently slammed President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Yet more disturbing news comes from there. On the eve of my departure for Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum, I got a disheartening report pointing to corporate rot at NSSA.
“This is not the first time the Government got such disturbing reports; NSSA has been a thorn in our flesh, a pain that will not go away,” he said.
NSSA GM suspended
