A HARARE couple that allegedly duped Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Miniyothabo of almost US$1 million in money paid towards constructing buildings they later abandoned along the way used the same modus operandi in seven other cases.
The couple, Gray Mudiwa (44) and wife Annavester Mudiwa (39) are owners of Gray Homes, a construction company Baloyi-Chiwenga had hired to construct a home, warehouse and a shopping mall in Filabusi.
Yesterday, the couple appeared before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa facing seven new charges of fraud involving over US$472 000.
The coupled was remanded to September 12 for bail ruling after all records are combined.
It was represented by Lovemore Madhuku, who indicated that he will apply for bail through written submissions.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje told the court that in August last year, the company duped a businessman Anyway Choto (50) after misrepresenting that they could construct a warehouse and storage facilities in Marondera for US$135 000.
They allegedly lied to him that they had capacity to complete the project in 90 days.
The court heard Choto fell for the misrepresentation and paid US$122 163.
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After receiving the funds, the company allegedly only dug the foundation of the warehouse and diverted the funds to their own use.
It failed to complete the project, which led to Choto being prejudiced of US$105 963.
On another record, the construction company allegedly duped Colclare Investments, which is being represented by Osborn Kudyanyemba.
Chirenje alleged that in March this year, Kudyanyemba was introduced to Annavestah by one Takunda Masenda, who is an electrician.
The court documents further stated that Annavestah misrepresented to Kudyanyemba that she was running a viable hardware shop with fast and quick turnover.
Kudyanyemba, acting on the alleged misrepresentation, gave Annavestah electric switches, sockets display units, chandelier lights, down lights and water dispensers valued at US$31 723,50.
Annavestah promised to pay for the products within 30 working days, but failed to honour her promise.
Kudyanyemba reportedly made several follow-ups for the payment, but Annavestah avoided and ignored his calls.
The prosecution alleged that Kudyanyemba was prejudiced of US$31 723,50.
On a different record in January this year, the company allegedly duped the director for Virtuetrade Petroleum, Never Tembo (41), after he saw an advert on YouTube, where prominent gospel musician Mathias Mhere was marketing the Gray Homes construction work.
Tembo was introduced to Annavestah since he wanted the company to construct a double-storey house in Glen Lorne.
The court heard that Tembo was charged US$390 000 and was promised that the construction would take six months from the date of agreement.
Chirenje said Tembo paid all the money between January 10 and March this year.
The company, however, did not complete the house, but built it up to the ring beam level and dumped the project.
The company directors allegedly became evasive until they were no longer reachable.
Tembo only heard of their whereabouts through social media after they had been arrested for duping Chiwenga’s wife.
A valuation was carried out at the incomplete building and it was discovered that the company had only used US$117 000 on the construction work.
Tembo suffered a financial prejudice of US$273 000.
