University workers say minister is trying to ‘loot’ pension

State university workers in Zimbabwe have accused Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Amon Murwira of plotting to “loot” their pension, medical aid and funeral policy contributions, writes Silas Nkala and Nhau Mangirazi for News Day. They are contesting a move by Murwira to set up a joint pension, medical aid and funeral assurance fund without their consent.

Murwira recently issued a directive for the setting up of the joint fund for all university workers. However, state university workers are against the move. In a petition dated 8 May workers said they were alarmed to learn that a secret national taskforce had been set up to spearhead the formation of the Amalgamated State Universities Pension Fund, Joint State Universities Medical Aid Fund and Joint State Universities Funeral Assurance Fund.

“We do not want a repeat of what is happening at Premier Medical Services Investments (PMSI), Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) and National Social Security Authority (NSSA), where there have been reports of double dipping, massive abuse of funds and shortfalls due to employers’ non-remittances,” the petition read. “The current arrangements ensure maximum security of the funds and full protection of fund members and beneficiaries’ interests.”
Full report on the News Day site