Air Zimbabwe ordered to reinstate fired boss

HARARE – Air Zimbabwe has been ordered to reinstate acting managing director Grace Pfumbidzayi who was fired in February 2014 on charges of corruption and maladministration following an audit report.

But now a labour arbitrator identified as T Zimbudzana has ruled that she was fired unprocedurally. Part of the verdict released last Friday reads:

“In view of the facts and arguments, I award the following: The claimant was unfairly dismissed and should, therefore, be reinstated from date of unfair dismissal without loss of salary and benefits.

“The matter is remitted to the respondent (Air Zimbabwe) for the procedural irregularities to be put right.”

The report by BCA Forensic Audit Services says Pfumbidzayi “played a pivotal role in facilitating that the airline paid inflated amounts to Navistar (for insurance) resulting in the airline being prejudiced of an amount of 4 461 672,67 euros…

“She authorised all the invoices from Navistar Insurance Brokers for the period 2009 to 2013 for payment without ensuring that the amounts charged by Navistar were consistent with the amounts specified in the insurance contracts from the international broker.”

Further, she allegedly appointed Navistar as Airzim’s brokers without going to tender.

“She was grossly negligent as she did not ensure that there was a written service legal agreement between Air Zimbabwe and Navistar Insurance Brokers.”

BCA adds that Mrs Pfumbidzayi authorised payment of US$360 448,68 to Navistar for insurance of two A320 Airbus craft when those planes were already insured elsewhere.

The auditors go on to list several other opaque transactions amounting to hundreds of thousands of US dollars authorised by Mrs Pfumbidzayi.