AIR Zimbabwe’s human resources manager Oswald Madziwa has been relieved of his duties as the crackdown on officials implicated in an insurance premiums fraud continues to unravel.
CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Madziwa’s dismissal followed a disciplinary hearing conducted in January this year over his alleged authorisation of the misappropriated ₧2 671 607 and $3 814 845 by Navistar Insurance Brokers.
In a letter of termination of employment contract addressed to Madziwa dated February 28 2014, the airline said: “Following disciplinary proceedings which were conducted into your alleged acts of misconduct, the disciplinary authority found you guilty . . . the disciplinary authority recommended your dismissal with effect from the date of your suspension which is January 27 2014.
“Your terminal benefits shall be processed after completion of all clearance formalities including surrendering of the company vehicle and laptop which are in your custody. Kindly find clearance certificate attached.”
Madziwa’s lawyer Donald Sibanda could neither confirm nor deny the development.
“In as much as the matter could be of public interest, professional ethics compel me not to discuss client issues with the Press,” he said.
The same insurance premium scam resulted in the arrest of Navistar Insurance bosses Givemore Nderere, Vukile Hlupo and Orten Mawire on charges of swindling the airline of over $8,6 million.
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According to AirZim, Madziwa allegedly authorised payments to Navistar Insurance Brokers without ensuring that the amounts charged by Navistar were the ones specified in the airline’s relevant policy documents.
The same findings were made by the disciplinary committee chairperson Wellington Pasipanodya of Manase & Manase law firm in his judgment.
“The respondent (Madziwa) needs to be clear as to why he did not verify these payments with the insurance policy documents,” the judgment reads. “It’s either he did not think they were necessary or that he knew they were necessary, but that they were not availed to him if ever he asked for them which he did not do. “However, both reasons show a person who knows the right procedure, but who chose not to follow those procedures.
“The disciplinary authority notes that the respondent has admitted that he was negligent in approving these payments without verification and on relying on the company secretary’s say-so and it also notes that the respondent had raised his concerns about his ability to execute his duties as a signatory due to time constraints and lack of expertise.”
The insurance premium scam has also seen the arrest of AirZim former group chief executive officer Peter Chikumba, legal secretary Grace Pfumbidzai and acting chief executive officer Innocent Mavhunga.
