NSSA Manager in Court Over ZWL$14 Million School Fees Fraud

Zim Now Writer

The National Social Security Authority Research and Schemes Planning Manager, Cosmas Chikwawawa, has been arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on allegations of fraudulently inflating school fees claims, resulting in a ZWL$14 million loss for the organization.

Chikwawawa appeared before Magistrate Dennis Mangosi facing three counts of fraud and was granted bail of US$200.

The prosecution alleges that in 2023, Chikwawawa submitted fraudulent school fees invoices for his three children, who are in secondary school.

For the first term, he reportedly presented invoices from Direct Contact College, Harare, claiming each child’s fees amounted to ZWL$1,852,500, equivalent to US$2,758.97. However, his children were actually enrolled at Emmanuel High School, where the total fees were US$3,865.

This misrepresentation resulted in NSSA paying ZWL$5,557,500 (US$8,276.91), instead of the actual amount owed, causing a loss of ZWL 2,962,361.97 (US$4,411.91).

Chikwawawa allegedly claimed fees for Dendera High School in Mudzi, presenting invoices from Emmanuel High School, where his children were no longer students. This resulted in NSSA paying ZWL 1,713,596.96 (US$1,540) instead of the actual fees of ZWL 539,671.77 (US$485) per child.

 In September 2023, Chikwawawa reportedly claimed third-term fees for his children using invoices from Cornerstone Executive College, where fees were ZWL 7,091,119.88 (US$1,540) per child. However, his children were attending Wilmar High School in Goromonzi, where fees for all three were US$2,900. NSSA paid ZWL 21,273,359.64 (US$4,620), resulting in an overpayment of ZWL 14,040,089.63 (US$9,296.91).

The fraudulent claims allegedly caused NSSA a total prejudice of ZWL$14 million (approximately US$9,296), with no recovery of funds reported.