In 2023, six members of the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) executive management and 38 doctors were arrested following investigations into corruption and fraudulent activities by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the police. The doctors were accused of fraudulently overdrawing funds from PSMAS using incorrect tariff codes and siphoning money from the medical aid scheme.
The Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association (MDPPZA) condemned the operation, describing it as a “witch hunt” targeting service providers who had supported PSMAS while others had rejected its cardholders.
Speaking at an inter-agency breakfast meeting organized by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) on Wednesday, ZACC Commissioner Gabriel Chaibva praised the operation as an effective measure against corruption. He also highlighted Zimbabwe’s low ranking of 24 out of 100 on the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, which reflects widespread corruption in the country.
Chaibva emphasized the need to pressure developed nations to stop enabling corruption by allowing illicit funds to be hidden abroad. He also stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in recovering stolen assets.
The investigations into PSMAS corruption, led by ZACC and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), resulted in the arrest of the six PSMAS executives and 38 doctors. Chaibva noted that the case demonstrates the power of coordinated efforts to combat corruption across various levels.
In a separate investigation, ZACC and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) uncovered over 250 vehicles that had been imported fraudulently through the Civil Servants Motor Vehicle Rebate Scheme. This scheme, introduced in 2019, allows civil servants with over 10 years of service to import vehicles duty-free. However, investigations revealed that some individuals were abusing the scheme to import vehicles for others for a fee.
In 2023, over 20,000 civil servants were investigated for their involvement in the abuse of the vehicle rebate scheme. ZACC and ZIMRA have already recovered over 250 vehicles, with the investigation ongoing.
The efforts of ZACC and other authorities in addressing corruption and fraud within Zimbabwe highlight the need for continued reforms to strengthen the country’s fight against corruption.
