Suspended ZBC finance manager among country’s highest earners

via Suspended ZBC finance manager among country’s highest earners March 10, 2014 NewsDay

SUSPENDED Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) finance manager Elliot Kasu was earning a basic salary of $11 000 in 2011, but enjoyed several unlimited freebies which could catapult him to the league of some of the country’s top earners, NewsDay has learnt.

According to Kasu’s letter of reappointment dated November 17, 2011 and signed by suspended ZBC chief executive officer Happison Muchechetere on June 8, 2012, Kasu’s benefits were spread over seven A4 sheets. Kasu and Muchechetere were suspended last year as government launched its ongoing crackdown on executives of public institutions earning “obscene salaries”.

At the time of their suspension, junior ZBC staffers had gone unpaid for seven months.

Among other benefits, Kasu was entitled to a Toyota V8 Land Cruiser vehicle, which he would retain on leaving the broadcaster.

“The company would pay 50% of the mortgage value of the existing property under the company’s housing scheme as gratuity for the expired contract, and you will also be entitled to an up-market executive housing allowance at prevailing market rates,” the letter read. “The company will pay home utility bills for water, rates, electricity, and so on, upon production of invoices from service providers.”

Other perks were a 100% school fees invoice for not more than three children or direct family dependents for local academic education, 100% local university and college fees for the Sadc region for two children or direct family dependents, as well as 100% fees to cover personal studies related to his line of work.

Kasu was also entitled to a pension scheme borne by the employer, a medical aid package for self, spouse, own children and not more than two direct family dependents and an executive funeral policy package for self, spouse and own children (all non-contributory).

“You will be entitled to two domestic workers, one gardener and maid, and the company will pay subscriptions for gym, club and professional membership. You will be entitled to two cellphones and two contract lines, home landline telephone, internet facilities to be installed at home and monthly bills to be paid by the corporation, laptop for business and personal use and the above gadgets are to be retained at the expiry or termination of contract,” the letter said.

Other benefits included one international business class return ticket once every year, accommodation and food for spouse and biological children for seven days at a five star hotel, as well as business class return tickets for the family to a local or regional destination twice every year.

At his home, Kasu was entitled to DStv annual subscriptions, one personal radio, one personal home HD TV set, a generator, 24 hour security as well as unlimited fuel at reasonable usage per month.