By Own Correspondent

THE National Social Security Authority says it has put in place systems to erase ghost beneficiaries from its system.

The exercise comes on the back of suspicions that thousands of deceased and non-existing beneficiaries could be on the payroll.

Nssa deputy director marketing and Public Relations, Tendai Mutseyekwa, said the life certificate renewal exercise will be carried out across NSSA’s six regions encompassing Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo and Chinhoyi, including their respective satellite offices.

“This exercise will affect all NSSA beneficiaries and is carried out for the fund's good as ghost beneficiaries prejudice bona fide recipients by making the cake smaller,” he said. 

“For this exercise, pensioners must physically visit any NSSA office with original and photocopies of their national identity card or valid passport. Driver’s licences will not be accepted as proof of identity. Those, who are bedridden and grossly disabled, will be visited by NSSA officers in their respective homes. They should submit to the nearest NSSA office their contact addresses and mobile numbers to facilitate visits by our officers,” Mutseyekwa  said.

Nssa officers will also visit selected POSB, National Building Society, and ZimPost branches during pensioner paydays.

Several local business centers and growth points will be visited by NSSA on dates to be advised.

“Those in the diaspora can download the Diaspora Life Certificate on the Nssa website and should email the completed life certificate to NssaLifeCertificates@nssa.org.zw.

There are approximately 240 000 pensioners under NSSA and they are currently getting between US$40 and US$50 per month. We pay in Zimbabwe dollars and alternate with United States dollars, depending on our cash flows,” said Mutseyekwa.