Former NSSA director Brian Murewa granted US$500 b...

Former NSSA director Brian Murewa granted US$500 bail in US$29 000 fraud case

Michael Mashiri

A former National Social Security Authority Investment boss, who is accused of defrauding the national insurer NSSA US$29 000 which was meant to buy a guest house in Kariba, has appeared in court.

Brian Murewa, 44, appeared before magistrate Donald Ndirowei facing fraud charges at the Harare Magistrates' Courts.

He was granted US$500 bail and will appear in court on May 14 for possible trial date.

The complainant in this matter is NSSA represented by Timothy Nherudzo a board member.

The State alleges that Murewa lied that the guest house bought by NSSA in Kariba cost US$240 000, yet the price was US$215 000.

Brenda Mhuriro, an investigation officer in this matter said they had serious challenges in arresting Murewa.

She told the court that they only managed to arrest him after 14 months at his house in Borrowdale after involving the services of Interpol which proved futile.

Murewa’s lawyer, Tafadzwa Hungwe, showed the court a passport which showed that his client regularly went out of the country for medical assistance.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission said they did not have an arrest warrant when they went to Murewa’s home.

The State, through prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, alleges that in January 2021, NSSA resolved to purchase a Guest House in Kariba for use by its members and staff.

NSSA gave Murewa a responsibility to seek a suitable property and he approached Palm Golding, a real estate company which had been given a mandate to sell stand number 989 Kariba Township on behalf of Thokozani Family Trust and offered to purchase the property which was going for US$220 000.

The Palm Golding arranged to meet Thokozani Family Trust’s representative, Tendai Muzorewa.

Murewa then negotiated for a reduction of the price to US$215 000 and induced Muzorewa to agree to sign an agreement of sale reflecting the buying price as US$240 000 by promising in return to make a cash payment of the US$215 000.

The State alleges that on January 12, NSSA transferred US$300 000 to Platinum Investments Managers Private Limited, NSSA’s investment manager, with US$252 631.59 meant for the purchase of the property.

It is alleged that on March 14, 2022 the Investment Managers handed US$153 000 cash to Murewa for the property but he only paid US$124 000 and remained with US$29 000.

On January 31, 2022 the balance of US$91 000 was paid directly to the sellers in cash by PIM to make a total of US$215 000.

As a result, NSSA was prejudiced US$29 000.