The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is now looking into serious claims of looting and mismanagement at the Zimpapers Pension Fund. This is the fund that is supposed to look after the retirement money of workers at Zimpapers. Instead of protecting that money, there are strong claims that it was abused, and even company properties were sold in shady ways.
This case was reported to Zacc by the trustees of the pension fund. Trustees are the people who must make sure the fund is run in the best interest of workers and former workers who depend on it for their retirement. They are meant to act honestly and fairly, but now they are the ones raising the alarm about wrong things being done.
The report comes soon after the removal of Zimpapers chief executive Pikirayi Deketeke and other top managers. Their removal is linked to corruption and fraud issues. Deketeke has now been replaced by veteran editor William Chikoto, who is acting chief executive while the board tries to clean up the mess.
A forensic audit has been ordered by the Zimpapers board to dig deep and find out what really happened. This is a big investigation that will look at all the money, properties, and transactions to see where things went wrong.
A source inside Zacc told The NewsHawks that the case was reported on 16 July. Trustees and members of the pension fund committee, which includes board members and company executives, took the matter to Zacc. This committee is meant to manage the pension fund and ensure workers are fairly treated and their money is safe.
The Zimpapers Pension Fund is supposed to give retirement benefits to employees. Workers contribute to the fund every month, and the company is also meant to add money to it. That money is then invested so that workers can get decent payouts when they retire or leave the company. But according to sources, this has not been happening properly for a long time.
One source said the main problems include the mismanagement of pension money, failure to send workers’ contributions to the fund, and very small payouts when workers leave the company after many years of service. This is leaving workers poor and angry after dedicating their lives to the company.
There is also the issue of the suspicious sale of properties. Several Zimpapers properties were sold in controversial deals. In some cases, the sales were later cancelled by new boards, creating even more confusion and problems. The reason for these reversals is not clear, but it points to deep problems in how company assets were being handled.
Another problem is that the pension fund has been badly hurt by debts from different Zimpapers units. Instead of paying what they owe to the pension fund, these units have left the debts unpaid, which makes it harder for the fund to give proper benefits to workers.
This case is yet another example of how corruption and poor leadership are destroying institutions in Zimbabwe. When leaders and managers abuse funds meant for workers, it shows a complete lack of respect for ordinary people. Workers put their trust in the pension fund, believing it will take care of them in old age. Now that trust has been broken.
Zacc must act quickly and without fear. Those responsible must face the law, and stolen money or assets must be recovered. If there is no action, more workers in Zimbabwe will lose faith in pension schemes and the people who run them. This is not just about Zimpapers — it is about the future of all workers who hope to retire with dignity.
It’s good that ZACC is investigating this. That shows the government is serious about rooting out corruption, even in state-linked companies. Let’s give the process a chance before rushing to blame ZANU PF. Not every scandal should be turned into a political attack. This is a management issue inside Zimpapers, and it’s being handled. The government can’t babysit every boardroom decision.
We support the forensic audit, transparency is critical. But stop using every challenge to attack the whole system. These institutions existed before Mnangagwa, and many problems are inherited. Instead of blaming ZANU PF, why not praise the fact that people raised the alarm from inside the system? That shows there’s still accountability in Zimbabwe, and the structures are working. There’s no need to politicise this matter. Every country faces corporate scandals. What matters is that the state is responding through ZACC. That’s real leadership , not Twitter outrage.
The opposition is too quick to use every issue to push a tired narrative. Zimpapers is doing the right thing by replacing management and opening books. Why not applaud that? The abuse of pension funds is serious, and we support a full investigation. But stop making it sound like ZANU PF ministers were looting the fund. These were internal management failures. It’s sad that workers were affected , no one denies that. But your article tries too hard to link this to government failure. Let ZACC finish its job, then we can talk about justice.