A TEAM of detectives from the police Commercial Crimes Unit yesterday
raided National Social Security Authority (Nssa) offices and
interviewed several employees in connection with a US$78 million housing
scandal in which funds were released to individuals and companies for
the construction of houses in Harare without going to tender.
The crack team quizzed several people and according to sources close
to the investigations they are also keen to interview former Nssa board
chairperson Robin Vela and general manager Elizabeth Chitiga on the
issue.
Police spokesperson Charity Charamba confirmed yesterday that the police carried out interviews at Nssa offices.
“Members of the police force visited Nssa as part of ongoing
investigations of a matter that is already in the courts,” she said.
This week former strategic executive assistant to Chitiga, Tirivavi
Chiuta appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court facing charges of
criminal abuse of office after he allegedly handpicked five companies to
construct houses worth over US$78 million without following due
processes.
It is the State’s case that Chiuta connived with Chitiga and
handpicked their own five projects with an estimated cost of US$78 827
500 without seeking authority from the Procurement Regulatory Authority
of Zimbabwe.
It is alleged Chiuta directed NBS to implement the five projects through an email dated August 24 2017.
These projects were 1 000 houses to be built by Hydraben Company in
Victoria Range, Masvingo, at a cost of US$23,2 million, and 200 houses
in Bulawayo worth US$4,64million by Denver Investments, 750 houses in
Mkoba, Gweru at a cost of $17,4 million by Hunde Trust, 725 houses in
Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge, at a cost of US$16,82 million by Forit and 816
houses in Emganwini worth US$18,9 million by Bulawayo City Council.
The five projects that had been hand-picked by Chiuta and Chitiga
failed to pass the verification
process, as their respective land had
ownership disputes.
N-Frasys (Private) Limited and Globeny Construction (Private) Limited
had disputes on land ownership and they had to settle the disputes using
funding from NBS for US$424 426 and US$1,5 million, respectively.
The State alleges that two contractors have not yet fulfilled their
contractual obligation. Chiuta and Chitiga allegedly further awarded
N-Fresys and Globeny Construction projects in Zvishavane at a cost of
US$31 727 500 without the consent of the land developer, thereby,
exposing public funds. zimbabwe independent
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