Source: Ex-Nssa bosses face jail – DailyNews Live
John Kachembere 31 March 2017
HARARE – National Social Security Authority (Nssa) is pushing for the
prosecution of its former managers accused of making decisions that
prejudiced the pension funds administrator of nearly $13 million.
Nssa chairman Robin Vela on Wednesday said the law must take its course on
those found guilty.
This was after the deep-pocketed investor called for a forensic audit into
the acquisition of Celestial Park (CP) and construction of multi-million
dollar Beitbridge Hotel (BH) by the former management, led by dismissed
general manager James Matiza.
“The board resolved that the findings of the forensic report (on Celestial
Park) warranted placing the matter with the CID Commercial Crimes Unit,”
Vela said, adding the BH report was still under consideration with
decisions on the way forward to be announced soon.
Auditors identified Matiza, investments director Shadreck Vera and
property investments manager Samuel Chiduza as liable for the investment
boob.
The Matiza-led executive bought CP in Harare for $32 million from
Matay-Kingdom on September 29 2014.
It allegedly ignored a Bard valuation report which priced the property at
$24 million – a variance of $8 million.
Auditors noted that Nssa could have built a similar structure for only
$27,3 million.
Documents revealed that GreenPlan valuators had valued CPark at $36,5
million, as at June 15, 2014.
Eventually, Nssa forked out $34 million, inclusive of other charges.
Part of the audit report reads: “Given the significant difference of $12,5
million between the two market values derived by the independent valuers,
one would have expected both reports to have been tabled for discussion
and Bard valuation included for determining the offer for bargaining
purposes.
“The agreement of sale entered into with Matay-King did not adequately
protect the authority’s interest.
There was lack of a due diligence on potential tenants on the part of
Nssa, prior to acquiring the property and non-compliance with State
Procurement Board guidelines in relation to the construction of an access
road to Celestial Park, as well as breaches of Nssa’s own policies in
respect of acquisition of property investments.”
Nssa has been under the spotlight for the wrong reasons, particularly
related to shambolic investments which have prejudiced the authority of
millions of dollars in public funds.
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