A National Social Security Authority compliance inspector has appeared in court accused of soliciting a US$4,000 bribe from a school in exchange for removing a penalty linked to the late reporting of a workplace injury.
Tarwirei Chakanyuka, 49, of Chadcombe, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
According to court papers, an employee of Mother Touch Group of Schools sustained a knee injury in a workplace accident in February 2025 and later underwent surgery at Avenues Clinic.
After recovering, the employee presented himself to NSSA for assessment and was awarded compensation of US$2,500 and ZWG800.
Prosecutors allege that in June 2026, Chakanyuka accessed NSSA's database and discovered that the school had reported the workplace accident outside the prescribed statutory timeframe.
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He allegedly contacted the injured employee, confirmed that compensation had been paid and advised him that the school faced a US$16,000 penalty for the late submission. He then requested to speak to the school's Human Resources Manager.
On July 6, 2026, Chakanyuka allegedly contacted the school's Chief Executive Officer, Salome Mutsinze, and demanded US$4,000, promising to remove the penalty record so the school could avoid paying the fine.
The court heard that Mutsinze referred him back to the injured employee, after which Chakanyuka allegedly continued demanding the money.
The matter was reported to the police on July 9, 2026, leading to a trap operation that resulted in Chakanyuka's arrest.
He is expected to return to court today for a bail hearing.
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