Ex-SSB Paymaster Arrested For Running A Secret Payroll Racket
A trusted paymaster at the Salary Service Bureau (SSB) has landed in court after allegedly operating a hidden payroll scheme. Brighton Chiuzingo, 59, is accused of secretly inflating his own salary. But the allegations stretch much further. Prosecutors say he ran a secret payroll racket that also unlawfully boosted the pay of 26 other employees without any authorisation.
Chiuzingo stood before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo on May 6, 2026. He faces fraud charges linked to his time at the SSB, where he served from 2010 to 2021. The court heard the scheme caused a loss of US$39 903 (approx R729,000) to the Public Service Commission (PSC). Chiuzingo was remanded to a later date while investigations continue.
Payslip Review Triggers Major Audit
H-Metro reports that the alleged manipulation of the Government payroll system took root in 2018. Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that Chiuzingo unlawfully increased remuneration for himself and 26 payroll and pensions administrators. The PSC Secretary never approved these increases.
The scheme stayed hidden until November 2018. Then PSC general manager Clemence Chiweshenga was reviewing payslips as part of routine oversight. Anomalies caught his eye. His discovery triggered swift action.
An internal audit followed on December 4, 2018. Chief Internal Auditor Owden Nhimura led the investigation. The audit uncovered the full scale of the alleged payroll manipulation. The Herald reports that the findings were handed to the State.
Mr Jambawu outlined the core allegation against Chiuzingo:
“In 2018, Chiuzingo manipulated the Government payroll system and unlawfully increased his remuneration, along with that of 26 payroll and pensions administrators, without the approval of the Commission’s Secretary.”
No Money Recovered From The Scheme
The financial toll sits at US$39 903 (approx R729,000). The complainant is the Public Service Commission, represented by its Secretary Sibusisiwe Zembe. The State has made it clear that the loss remains outstanding.
Chiuzingo held the paymaster post for over a decade. His position gave him direct access to the payroll systems now under scrutiny. The court will set a new date once investigators complete their work.
The post Ex-SSB Paymaster Arrested After Inflating His Salary And Running A Secret Payroll Racket appeared first on iHarare News.
