Stop Govt pensions office rot

EDITOR — I am writing on behalf of all members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) who are being subjected to trauma at the hands of Government pension directors and their subordinates.

I am a member of the ZNLWVA. Sometime in 2010, I took out a funeral assurance policy with an insurance broking company to cover my family and dependants. The premiums were $20 per month. Then a very sad development took place some eight months ago. My mother passed on and I expected a quality funeral service as per the service promise of the insurance brokers, but that was not to be.

Suffice to say, I would have forgotten about this wound had it not been for the Pensions Department. I went to the brokers to have my policy cancelled and they referred me to Government pensions.

I then proceeded to the pensions office and submitted my request in writing. Like any responsible family man, I took out another policy with another company.

On filling the forms I was told I had to take the Stop Order instruction form in person to Pensions Department. This, the agent said, was a new instruction from the pensions office.

It has been almost three months. My old policy has not been cancelled and my new policy has not been processed. That, in essence, means I am not covered by a service provider of my choice, something that we fought to gain through independence.

I have my suspicions, which have almost been confirmed.

There are one or two directors who have been compromised by insurance brokers and have thus instructed junior staff to act to instructions.

Should a comrade have to travel at his or her expense, all the way from, say Mukumbura, to effect a policy deduction or cancellation at Pensions Office?

Does this apply to members of the Zimbabwe National Army, teachers or the even the police who are on Government payroll?

Why should the Government Pensions Department infringe my constitutional right to freedom of choice? What really is their interest if not that a khaki envelope is going their way every month?

Is it not my money and should I not have the right to choose which company should provide me with what service when need arises? The answer is obvious.

We need answers, many comrades out there are suffering. Surely this must stop and the Insurance and Pensions Commission should be called upon to act.

To our patron, His Excellency President Mugabe, please help stop the rot at the Pensions Department.

We do not want to demonstrate against those you employed and entrusted to look after our welfare. Help us please. Comrade Pedro, Via e-mail.