The Herald (Zimbabwe)

Paymaster sent packing

- Crime Reporter

PUBLIC Service Commission (PSC) paymaster Brighton Chiuzingo, who was last year suspended on allegation­s of abuse of office and mismanagem­ent, has been fired.

Government suspended Chiuzingo in December last year following reports of abuse of office and mismanagem­ent, pending investigat­ions.

The Herald has it on good authority that Chiuzingo was dismissed last Friday.

“He was discharged of his duties and he is no longer part of the SSB (Salary Service Bureau). He was given the letter of discharge from his duties last Friday,” said a source.

When contacted for comment, PSC chairman Dr Vincent Hungwe referred all the questions to the commission’s secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunash­e.

“Can you get in touch with the secretary Ambassador Wutawunash­e he would be the most appropriat­e person to talk to,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from Ambassador Wutawunash­e were fruitless.

Last year, sources within the commission said Chiuzingo was in the habit of transferri­ng employees without the approval of the superiors.

Some senior officials in the commission warned him, but he didn’t take heed.

He was alleged to be in the habit of asking for kickbacks and unilateral­ly increasing his pay.

His net salary at one point was $1 595,46 but it was inflated to $6 575,11 and he was also accused of misusing pool vehicles.

In 2011, the Public Service Commission ceased the salaries of more than 4 000 employees after they failed to submit various requisite documents.

The then secretary to the PSC, Mrs Pretty Sunguro told a parliament­ary portfolio committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, that the exercise was aimed at ensuring efficiency and compliance with regulation­s by all civil servants.

She also said the PSC had tightened controls to ensure that all those who receive salaries are indeed entitled to Government money.

This, she said, meant that all heads of ministries should confirm every month the names of staff members before a salary is paid.

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