Bloodbath: PSMI retrenches 1000 workers, appoints new interim chief executive

Harare- SCANDAL ridden Premier Services Medical Investments (PSMI), a subsidiary of Premier Service Medical Aid (PSMAS) has this week retrenched more than 1000 employees,Express Mail Zim has learnt.

The organisation has a staff complement of at least 2000 employees transalating to a 50 percent plus job cut in this development.

Express Mail Zim gleaned at a copy of the retrenchment letter which has a bold notice stating ‘Strictly Private and Confidential”.

Dated November 22, the letter seen by this publication partly reads:

” Pursuant to the Workers Council meeting held on 22nd and 29th of March 2023, we write to inform you that we are proceeding to retrench you in terms of Section 12C of the labour act Amendmend No 11 of 2023.

” You are supposed to serve the notice of your retrenchment at home.”

The letter was authored by the acting human resources manager Dr Kutoka.

The retrenched employees were given a one day ultimatum to surrender any company property in their possesion at West End Head office and to also negotiate packages.

An employee who survived the chop told Express Mail Zim that her future was hanging in the balance and she has already begun job hunting.

“My brother, its by God’s grace that I survived and I could imagine how life was going to be.

“Some employees who were retrenched months ago have not been paid their packages so I’m scared,” she said on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Express Mail Zim understands that some of the retrenched employees have more than 10 years of service but their packages were pegged at USD4500 payable at interbank rate after three months of serving notice.

According to sources, PSMI employees are currently receiving 43 percent salaries since they re-opened and the backpay has balooned.

” The management is also in the habit of not remmiting our Nyaradzo deductions.

“The management persecutes those who try to air their griviances yet they squander money,” lamented our source.

A looting frenzy has engulfed the PSMI since Cuthbert Dube’s era with top directors overpricing car acquisitions. Insurance fraud and huge and extortianate salaries at the expense of the employees.

These unwarranted expenses gobbled the wage bill and employees have to endure months without salaries.

PMSI communications executive only identified as Jackie referred this reporter to the human resources manager who was unr

“Well ,I dont know anything about that the person to speak to is the HR manager,” she said.

Intrestingly, the ‘bloodbath’ coincided with a Secretary General’s meeting held at a local hotel Thursday morning and saw the appointment of a new interim chief executive Dr Madunda who was however absent.

Recently top management allegedly prejudiced the organisation of US$900 000 and over $14 million in undue holiday allowances.

This followed hot after the heels of other executives who were arraigned before the courts for stealing US$702 386.80 from the company in a botched gold deal.

PSMI operates health care clinics, dental services, medical laboratory, radiology, hospitals, ambulance, pharmaceutical, rehabilitation, optometry and renal services.

Formed in 2003, it has more than 100 income generating services centres across Zimbabwe.