THERE are growing concerns over the prolonged process to appoint a substantive general manager at arguably the country's most strategic institution, the National Social Security Authority (Nssa).

A recruitment process that was initially supposed to be fast-tracked due to a leadership vacuum created by the departure of Arthur Manase in July 2022 is now in its 7th month with no end in sight.

Manase was suspended in July 2022 as the government probed allegations of corporate governance failures, mismanagement, and corruption at the asset manager.

He resigned in September 2023 while on suspension.

Charles Shava, Nssa's director for occupational safety and health, has been acting as the fund's head for more than two years. The standard tenure of office for heads of parastatals is five years.

However, sources told Zimbabwe Independent that the process to find a new general manager has taken longer than expected, raising fears of possible manipulation of the process.

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"They indicated that the processes would have been complete by August this year, but there have been some delays, and we don’t know why they are delaying the processes. We understand all the shortlisting was done two to three months ago," a source said.

"We hear that Head Hunters (International) was appointed to carry out the processes, and we wonder what is taking long for the appointment of the GM.

“Because now there is an acting GM, and he cannot make strategic decisions."

Nssa board chairperson Emmanuel Fundira stated that the process was ongoing, with names submitted for security screening.

"There is nothing stopping. The process of shortlisting is still ongoing, and the names have gone for security screening before the final interviews are conducted, and it is beyond our control. So we wait for that process," he said.

Top intelligence sources said this week  three names have been shortlisted for the top post, including Shava and Nssa director corporate affairs David Makwara.

However, Shava faces criminal abuse of office charges and is currently out on bail. He was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) in March last year.

Shava allegedly recommended increased remuneration for Nssa doctors, including 20% medical allowances, 25% non-practicing allowances, and 50% retention allowances.

The board rejected some of these proposals but allowed retention allowances.

Shava then allegedly altered the board resolution to include the rejected allowances and instructed payment to four doctors.

The delay in appointing a general manager has raised concerns about the authority's governance and decision-making processes. Sources said the incumbent, Shava, seems happy with the status quo as it  prolongs his reign at Nssa.

"He knows he does not have the support of the board and is banking on the minister to prolong the process to give him a clear shot. This is despite the fact that out of the 10 candidates who were shortlisted he was ranked last during the first round," a source familiar with the proceedings alleged.

The current Nssa board’s tenure of office is scheduled to end early 2025.

Contacted for comment, Shava said: "I don’t have to bribe anybody in order to get the job. If I get the job, I get it fully on merit and If I don’t get it it’s because somebody better has been found, which is ok. I will support that person. It's just an attempt to try and tarnish me. As far as the recruitment of general manager is concerned the best person to talk to is the board chairman, Dr Fundira. I have no clue whatsoever as Iam also a contestant on what is happening. I'm just doing my work". Around 45 candidates applied for the position and the deadline for applications was March 31.

Sources  in the Ministry of Labour say an anonymous complaint was sent to the ministry alleging that Shava was boasting that he has the support of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare minister July Moyo and  deputy chief secretary  for Policy Analysis, Coordination and Development Planning  in the President's Office Willard Manungo.

"On the issue of the letter, it has nothing to do with me and I don’t know where it is coming from, it’s just an attempt to try and tarnish me. I have got nothing to do with those people except in our professional relationships. I know Mr Manungo because our parastatal falls under his jurisdiction," Shava said.

"It’s a completely malicious, false allegation like many other allegations that I have been subjected to over the past two and a half years, including an attempt on my life because people try to send you to prison that’s obviously almost wanting to eliminate you physically. The correct position is I have nothing to do with any of those allegations."