The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has requested Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Paul Mavima to respond publicly to allegations that he bought a US$350 000 Borrowdale house through the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).
Media reports claim Mavima facilitated the property deal without following due process.
In a statement dated 28 February 2023, ZCTU acting secretary-general Kudakwashe Munengiwa said:
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions notes with concern the corruption allegations relating to the purchase of a Borrowdale house being levelled against the Minister of Labour and urge him to come clean.
Mavima is accused of arm-twisting NSSA to buy him a house valued at US$350 000 while promising to pay back later after receiving his US$500 000 housing allowance awarded to Cabinet ministers.
Upon purchase, it is said the house was sold to Mavima before the property could be entered into NSSA books.
We note that funds used to purchase the said property are pensioners’ contributions and investments.
It is, therefore, prudent for the minister as the custodian of those funds to come clean on the matter.
The ZCTU is concerned that powerful individuals continue to manipulate systems to bleed NSSA while payouts and benefits remained paltry.
Contacted for comment by NewsDay on Tuesday, Mavima said:
I have no comment. There is a forensic audit underway. It should remain objective and not tainted with comments from the minister.
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