A video has gone viral showing workers at the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) breaking into tears after being retrenched without any package and outstanding salaries.
With its bosses in court over corruption allegations, PSMAS has been struggling for years to either pay its workers or provide medication at its clinics run by the Premier Service Medical Investments (PSMI).
It’s hospitals, clinics and pharmacies have closed down across the country after being looted of much needed resources by senior government officials.
The company has closed West End Hospital in Harare and Claybank Hospital in Gweru after failing to pay staff, including nurses and doctors, for three months.
A video of PSMAS workers crying after being retrenched by the company was circulated on social media by top journalist Hopewell Chin’ono yesterday.
The employees were crying asking why they had been sent away without retrenchment packages and outstanding salaries.
It was an emotional and heartbreaking moment for the rest of the workers.
“We have been silent for a long time. Most of the time we could go to Christmas without salaries but we were quiet hoping our company would grow. Now they are neglecting us. They did not tell us when they will cover our salaries,” a lady’s voice is heard in the video.
“Now they have given us retrenchment letters saying ‘you have reached 55 or 60 years. This is only happening to the workers and not the directorate. It’s hurting us because they are sending us away without a retrenchment package.
“We are appealing to the government to intervene.”
Chin’ono described the situation as “heartbreaking” citing it as a “consequence of looting” by ruling Zanu-PF party officials.
Heartbreaking scenes of PSMI/PSMAS staff crying after being retrenched without a package having worked for 4 months without a salary.
The PSMAS hospitals were shut down and the medical aid for civil servants collapsed after the massive looting of public funds by ZANUPF elites. pic.twitter.com/NbmFfsRiui
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) February 22, 2023
“Heartbreaking scenes of PSMI/PSMAS staff crying after being retrenched without a package having worked for 4 months without a salary.
“The PSMAS hospitals were shut down and the medical aid for civil servants collapsed after the massive looting of public funds by Zanu-PF elites.
“The consequences of looting will locate everyone, corruption affects everyone,” he said.
Few years ago, PSMAS was involved in a salaries scandal that came to be known as Salarygate. The scandal implicated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba among other government officials a few years back.
Charamba who was then a board member, contributed to the fall of the medical service provider by approving the exorbitant salaries to be paid to Cuthbert Dube, the former boss at PSMAS who was accused of defrauding the company over US$23 million and to board members.
Charamba also benefited himself by being paid an exorbitant board membership fee, a total of US$109 397,50 in 2013.
Charamba actually admitted stealing the money.
“I agree, this is why, in fact, if the requirement is that we resign today, we would, because we failed Zimbabweans; we failed PSMAS and if we have to justify our continued stay on the board.
“We must be seen to be taking appropriate remedial action, I really admit that on that particular score, we did not ask correct questions and for that reason, we deserve to be condemned,” he said in an interview over four years ago.
Yaa 🙄🙄☹️☹️
I personally subscribed to the sustenance of the Public Service Medical Aid from 1980 to date. It really breaks my heart to hear of the collapse of my medical aid society. The million dollar question is why and how. Cuthbert Dube was quite an astute leader despite us calling him Cashbert Dube. Any blind person can see what he achieved though from the periphery.
No one can convince me that this society is well managed and I personally lay blame on the powers that be. Precisely, I’m suffering although I continue paying my subs. It has gone to the dogs.
Charles Dhliwayo sorry Cuthbert was never an astute leader he started the rot with an astronomical salary that saw every monkey dipping its hands into the fund. George is one such example
Hatisati tachiona imagine vana Nyaradzo and other insurance companies vane same chitsotsi our government they are involved in these mercy and they don’t say anything about it
Vapostori 4ED vatengengerwa mapombi ama Audi kkkkk zvinhu zvacho so
Where will they go Chamisa once defended Mnangagwa after he had fired the workers the same way.
Keepwell Zuzumbe the Zuva saga, i always tell people that Chamisa invoked that 1960s law which was put in place by whites to oppress the majority blacks
We are not independent at all, the whiteman is still ruling us
Leo Biz That was lack of principle and integrity nothing else. Even Gono when Zanu pf wanted to arrest him Biti came to his rescue. Its pure lack of principle and greedy. Such people do not deserve to be in leadership.
Keepwell Zuzumbe i hated him the more for that, Him and Biti they lacked principle and integrity like you said.
They should have stood by the people
Lawyers are just like prostitu
Keepwell Zuzumbe let’s face reality. Zanu Pf is taking the country to the Stone Age. Leave Chamisa alone
Leo Biz It’s only that Majority of our people have been poisoned with Zanu pf ways of doing things. If Zimbabwean people were well informed and civilised knowing what they wanted they the best Candidate among political protagonists was Nkosana Moyo.
During inclusive gvt Mugabe formed his dairy company. That company had no real customers but gvt institutions like Hospitals, The army , Police , Prisons were forced to buy Dairy products from Gushungo holdings. Police recruits started to get some yogurts. I was just a civilian but I knew that something was wrong here. Only to hear later that Chamisa was providing logistic support to Gushungo Holdings. Meaning his transport company was used to transport Gushungo holdings to gvt institutions. There was nowhere Chamisa as a season politician could not have known that there was abuse of power and stealing from gvt. Back then Police could not afford to buy basic stuffs but they were now affording to always buy Gushungo holdings dairy products. Hospitals who could not buy medicine were now affording buying dairy products.
Mugabe knew there was budget allocation for these institutions then he would corruptly follow that money and dump his products. He knew that fear was among public service employees and no one would dare oppose payment of milk invoices for other services needed. Considering how he was feared you could tell that gushungo products invoices became a priority. You mean Chamisa did not see anything wrong in that deal.
Hatitye Dizha Problem you follow politics blindly. Chamisa was providing logistics to Gushungo holdings while gushungo holdings was forcing state institutions to buy milk from them. That’s lack of leadership skills.
Keepwell Zuzumbe well said.m shocked
Leo Biz I think lawyers are there to interpret the law. As for that 1960s law it was supposed to be amended long back. Now our laws are not in line with the constitution. How is to blame?. No one is perfect in life but the should at least try to look for better leaders than others.
Clyton Chirume true, i understand your point there
Gope Leonard Sandoga What have killed Zimbabwe and What makes us have mediocre leaders is tolerating leaders who abuse institutions or organisations. We allow them to divide people using tribalism. We allow them to promote nepotism instead of rebuking we start hero worshipping them. We ignore the voice of reasons just because we hate the person because of his Tribe.
The sad thing is that this thing is promoted and so common with especially Mashonaland Politicians , Mashonaland institutions and Mashonaland people. Any one who talks sense and Challenge them becomes a tribalist.
Nkomo warned people as early as 1980s about Zanu pf and people ridiculed him. Tshangani people opted to vote Zanu Ndonga no one supported them and every one thought they were tribalist. But the reality is Patriotism made them vote their own. Shona people were used to suffocate Tshangani people and no one had their cry. All jobs in Chiredzi became occupied by Shona people. Then same happened in Matebeleland all jobs in both private and public sector were given to Shona people and because Shona people were benefiting majority of them did not sea the reason to Vote against Zanu pf. Ndebeles were said to be only knowing going to South Africa. Back then Shonas could not think of going to South Africa because they knew that jobs were for them. The whole of Matebeleland employment sector was almost 98% taken by Shona people. Hate and tribalism was promoted and shona people could not see any wrong with Mugabe promoting nepotism and incompetence. No one quarried why Mugabe, Bona, Patrick Zhuwawo, Leo Mugabe became ministers and Parliamentarians. Leo abused funds from Zifa no one could question. Then came Tswangirai he started well then later adopted Zanu pf culture. He caused the first MDC split but because he was from the right tribe he was right. He got support while he weakened the strongest Movement that was uniting all Zimbabweans. Came Chamisa did the same abused the constitution and claimed there was no time for Congress. 5 years later he is still unelected leader who has adopted Mugabes style of retaining leadership.
His Yes men can do anything within the part as long as they remain singing his CCC name.
Then we still continue supporting such people to lead us. What will make them respect the National constitution.
God and Nehanda’s name are used to brainwash the tribalists masses. Who do not see beyond tribalism.
U r the voice of reason
Keepwell Zuzumbe I know you don’t like Chamisa but let’s focus on the real enemy. Zanu Pf must go at all costs
Hatitye Dizha I will rather be ruled by a 80 year dictator than a young one. And an unprincipled and a person of no integrity can no be a good leader. Those are prerequisite for someone wanting to be a leader.
When Zanu pf was killing Ndebele people Shona people were not worried because they thought it does not concern them. Today there is massive political violence meted especially against Mashonaland people. Its not that Zanu pf changed but it has been like that. Any one who ill-treat other people must not be supported for leadership.
Keepwell Zuzumbe 🤪
Another reason to vote
Ndokuti vamire nesu patinochema,huyai henyu pagheto takakumirirai
Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo
Mame mame
The same organisation that was paying Cuthbert Dube a Salary of US$800000 per month
When told to vote for change they think kutamba kwepwere. Zimbabwe needs a people centred govt not this greedy lot that cares about votes only and lining up their safes
Das Zimbabwe under new dispensation
iBotso!!!
That Dube guy looted all the money ,only those linked to a certain party get away with everything .
ZanuPf yenyu maionaka? George Charamba akadya mari dzenyu
Wake up & be conscious, system remains the same.
The news that they never air on ZBC and Herald-Zimbabwe
Alfa Mats they are part of the wagon all syndicates
Don’t they know where Cuthbert Dube stays. They should go get their benefits there.
Shame!! Feel sorry for the families and children who still need school and food.
So sad
That’s what happens when the gukurahundits are in charge…the ruling elite has nothing common with humanity
ED pfee
Vote CCC
This is why we’re saying please redgista to vote and vote for change, if you guys think we’re mad, then it’s upa to you
Zivai pekuvhotera nhaka
Muchaziva Mhunduru Phinias Mhunduru Aaah ndeipiko iyi nhaimi?
Mombo Johannes hupenyu mwana wabambo vangu. tondorima chibage kumunda, because mustreet macho makawoma.
Muchaziva Mhunduru Vanhu ava ngavasadaro so, huh 🙌🏿. Zvakatondityisa Kuri PSMAS chaiyo?