The move to reverse the appointment of Agnes Masiiwa as the National Social Security Authority (NSSA)‘s acting general manager was reportedly ordered by Acting President Constantino Chiwenga.
NSSA general manager Arthur Manase was suspended in July 2022 and senior executives were supposed to be appointed on a rotational basis to fill the position in an acting capacity.
NSSA director for occupational health Charles Shava was the first to be appointed acting general manager and he was supposed to pass the button to Masiiwa following his appointment by the NSSA board.
On December 29, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Paul Mavima wrote to NSSA board chairperson Percy Toriro recommending Masiiwa to replace Shava. Mavima wrote:
I write to advise that it is time to rotate the acting general manager at NSSA. Shava has served in that position for six months,” Mavima wrote.
It’s therefore, prudent to find another senior executive to hold that position while the forensic audit is being implemented.
Previously, Masiiwa had been recommended together with Shava. I therefore recommend her appointment at this time.
In a follow-up notice to stakeholders, Toriro indicated that Masiiwa would assume the position from 1st January 2023. She is one of the Directors at NSSA.
However, in a letter addressed to Mavima the deputy chief secretary for policy analysis, coordination and development planning in the Office of the President, Willard Manungo, said Chiwenga had ordered the reversal of Masiiwa’s appointment.
According to The Standard, Chiwenga argued that the appointment was a serious violation of corporate governance rules. Read the letter dated 3 January 2023:
Pursuant to good corporate governance, the honourable acting president advises that nothing should be done to remove the NSSA acting general manager in the midst of the forensic audit processes currently underway.
NSSA then released another public notice revoking the notice signed by board chairman Percy Toriro which confirmed the appointment of Masiiwa.
The notice said NSSA had been advised that the timing may not be right since the audit process is not yet complete. It also stated that the authority had been advised to let Sgava continue in the position.
But there is discontent over the move, according to insiders at NSSA who suspected the hand of Manungo.
Some said there was no evidence to suggest that Chiwenga, who is quoted in the letter was even consulted to veto Mavima’s proposal with the laws clear that in the absence of a substantive chief executive any other senior member can be appointed in an acting capacity.