WITH government literally in no-man’s land in the wake of
the decision by the country’s military to intervene and “pacify” a potentially
volatile situation which left government immobile, parastatal bosses have
reportedly embarked on a looting spree in anticipation of a fresh start.
Sources at the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration
(Zinara), a State entity that has turned into a cash cow due to information
systems managed by private entity Univern Enterprises, told NewsDay that senior
executives had awarded themselves huge perks including holidays outside the
country.
“They are awarding themselves huge sums of money that is
being doled out in cash. Univern’s systems have provided a massive conduit for
income. They are watertight and Zinara is raking in the money that should go
towards development of roads, but senior management thinks the transitional
period between the fall of President Robert Mugabe and the new administration
gives them the perfect chance to loot,” NewsDay heard.
The military intervention that left Mugabe confined to his
house and some members of his Cabinet in exile while others were taken into
custody has hamstrung government with most officials unsure of what to do.
Middle management at Zinara have, according to the sources,
been awarded a $5 000 yearly bonus, groceries worth thousands of dollars and
holiday trips to a European destination of their choice.
Senior executives, according to the insiders who spoke on
condition they are not identified, will pocket a cool $16 000, groceries and
holiday to destinations in Europe fully paid up including for their entourage.
Zinara chief executive officer Nancy Masiiwa-Chamisa
initially said she could not comment, but later claimed the bonuses were
contractual.
“Whatever it is individuals are getting is specified in
their contracts. People agreed with the administration different contracts and
whatever it is that is due to them will be given,” Masiiwa-Chamisa said without
going into specifics.
Asked if there were no variations to the contracts, she
retorted: “I should think there are none.”
Zinara has been under the spotlight of late with some
members of the senior management suspended before being brought back through
the back-door by Transport minister Joram Gumbo.
The roads administrator has continuously been investigated
for a litany of misdemeanours with local authorities especially Harare
complaining about lack of transparency in the allocation of revenue for road
repairs.
Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet
Misheck Sibanda has tried to keep government running with a plea to permanent
secretaries to try and keep everything as normal as possible with little
success. Newsday
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