Arthur Manase, the former head of the National Social Security Authority (Nssa), is allegedly accused of illegally purchasing six luxury cars for himself over a two-year period using funds from the statutory pension fund.
Additionally, he is charged with violating the cabinet-approved circular on condition-of-service automobiles from March 20, 2018, by establishing a policy of illegally obtaining condition-of-service vehicles in addition to auto loans.
This occurs at the same time that Manase is asking Nssa to sell him a third expensive vehicle, a Land Rover Defender, in addition to the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and the Mitsubishi Triton double cab he already had before his recent resignation.
The combined value of Manase’s three vehicles—a Mercedes-Benz rated at US$178 000, a Land Rover Defender at US$175 000, and a Triton at US$63 000—is US$416 000.
Manase, who was hired in January 2021, left his position on August 1. It had been more than a year since he had been placed on leave in order to assist investigations into a number of anomalies, instances of poor management, and corrupt practises.
On July 28, three days before he resigned in the face of more than 30 allegations of wrongdoing, malpractice, and poor administration, he was placed on paid leave without pay and benefits.
Nssa sought to bring him before a committee for discipline due to corruption allegations, some of which included vehicles.
According to documents obtained by ZiMetro News, Manase is charged with enacting an illegal condition-of-service motor vehicle framework and unauthorised acquisition of six vehicles.
Manase is accused of breaking the terms of the 20 March 2018 cabinet-approved circular on conditions of service vehicles for independent commisions, state enterprises, and parastatals by implementing an illegal policy of obtaining condition of service vehicles in addition to motor vehicle loans. Thus, by paying off illegal auto loans, you intentionally disobeyed and/or refused to carry out legal orders and cost the authorities money.
Additionally, “Your aforementioned conduct was in violation of the express and/or implied terms of your employment contract.”
Manase is also charged with illegally obtaining six automobiles.
“You illegally purchased and/or sponsored the purchase of six cars for your own use over the course of two years using the authority’s resources, in violation of the following sections of the circular on conditions of service vehicles:
“Even though your employment contract did not specify a condition of service vehicle for the acting position and at the time that you had already been promoted to substantive general manager, in December 2022 you purchased a Land Cruiser Discovery vehicle as your condition of service vehicle as acting general manager.
Manase is also charged with illegally obtaining six automobiles.
“You illegally purchased and/or sponsored the purchase of six cars for your own use over the course of two years using the authority’s resources, in violation of the following sections of the circular on conditions of service vehicles:
“Even though your employment contract did not specify a condition of service vehicle for the acting position and at the time that you had already been promoted to substantive General Manager, in December 2022 you purchased a Land Cruiser Discovery vehicle as your condition of service vehicle as acting general manager.
You obtained the Mercedes-Benz mentioned above through a car loan in June 2022 before you had paid off the car loan issued in June 2021.
“In addition, you violated a provision of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act by attempting to purchase a Land Cruiser 300 Series through the sale of OK Zimbabwe shares even though your acquisition of that Mercedes-Benz vehicle, which at the time belonged to Nssa, as a condition of service motor vehicle, constituted a disposal of a Nssa asset.”
The documents further state that “Your behaviour mentioned breached procurement norms, disregarded legal directions on the framework for conditions of service cars, and exploited the authority’s financial resources to the prejudice of pensioners. Your actions above violated the stated and/or implied provisions of your employment contract.
Despite this, Manase told Nssa he still wanted the Land Rover (Reg. No. AFK2044), which was acquired in December 2020, so he could drive away with three automobiles in two years.
He wants to buy a Land Rover Defender that is part of the Nssa pool.
He has the Triton double cab he purchased in August 2021 already. He returned the money borrowed to buy the automobile.
The Mercedes-Benz, which he later turned into a loan, was bought in March 2022 as a condition-of-service car.
The organization’s condition-of-service vehicle policy and the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet’s circular control the sale of automobiles at Nssa to current or former personnel.
Additionally, this is in line with Corporate Governance Unit Circular SEP/37/23 from 2023.
The policy was last changed on March 1, 2022, and it is quite clear who it pertains to and exclusively deals with condition-of-service cars.
Other classes or types of vehicles, such as pool cars, are not included. The policy considers a variety of factors regarding the employee and the vehicle, including age, usage, condition, and whether the automobile is new or used.
It also takes into account the employee’s length of service and how long they have been driving the car, as well as whether they quit, were laid off, or received a promotion. The guideline also addresses circumstances in which workers are not allowed to make purchases.
The Nssa assistant accountant Erasmus Mavondo was detained last year as a result of the automobile controversy and testified in court on charges of corruptly granting Manase a personal loan to purchase a car using an undervalued exchange rate.
Manase said that Mavondo helped him purchase the Mercedes-Benz for ZW$25 351 418.60 rather than ZW$60 251 593.80, or US$178 000.
Mavondo is accused of depriving Nssa of ZW$34 900 175 by converting US$178 000 at a rate of US$1: ZW$142 on March 31, 2022, rather than US$1: ZW$138 on June 21, 2022.
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