Gersham Pasi in $1m benefits fraud storm

SUSPENDED Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Commissioner General Mr Gershem Pasi fraudulently awarded himself $1 million in benefits that were not in his contract, ostensibly seeking approval from his subordinates instead of either the board or the parent ministry, an audit has revealed.

Auditors also raised eyebrows over the circumstances under which he authorised the Zimra director of human resources Ms Christine Msemburi's secondment to Kenya where she was paid relocation allowances and other  benefits before approval had been granted by the board and parent ministry.

The audit said Mr Pasi should be held liable for a $128 000 performance award, leave encashment, air tickets, holiday allowances and other benefits paid to Ms Msemburi at a time when she was not offering any service to Zimra since she was already working for World Customs Organisation Regional Office for Capacity Building in Kenya.

This is contained in a forensic audit report conducted by HLB Zimbabwe Chartered Accountants into the operations of the revenue collector following reports of corruption and poor corporate governance by whistleblowers.

The report is part of Zimra's court record filed with the High Court while responding to Mr Pasi's urgent application seeking to halt disciplinary processes against him.

According to the audit, Mr Pasi would ostensibly seek approval from subordinates for him to draw almost $1 million at separate intervals.