July 26, 2019

Murky NSSA, Metbank deals haunt Zim Minister

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Leroy Dzenga

Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Prisca Mupfumira is being investigated for graft charges by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission arising from her time when she was in charge of the National Social Security Authority, as minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

Mupfumira who spent Thursday night in police custody is being charged with corruption relating to siphoning funds from the public social services provider.

The charges also highlight a curious relationship between the Minister and financial institution Metbank.

According to a warned and cautioned statement seen by ZTN news, Mupfumira is being accused of the following;

-Receiving a US$90 000 vehicle loan from NSSA.

-Drawing down US$101 814 from NSSA coffers.

-Getting US$303 520 to fund projects in her constituency from NSSA.

-Ordering NSSA to bail out Metbank which was struggling at the time despite being advised of the apparent risk by NSSA Risk Management department. NSSA then bought properties from Metbank worth US$4,9 million.

-Influencing the issuance of Treasury Bills worth US$62 million to Metbank, of which US$37 million is currently unaccounted for.

-Ordering NSSA to enter into a low cost housing scheme worth US$10 million with Metbank without going to tender.

Minister Mupfumira is set to appear in court this morning for a bail hearing.

She becomes the first sitting Minister to be arrested in the second republic.

The last time a cabinet minister was arrested was in 2011 when then Energy Minister Elton Mangoma was nabbed for  flouting tender procedures.

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