A Harare-based construction company and its owners are facing serious fraud charges after allegedly defrauding Minyothabo Baloyi Chiwenga, wife of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, of nearly US$1 million.
Gray Homes Construction Company, represented by owners Gray and Annavestah Mudiwa, appeared before Harare Magistrate Donald Ndirowei to answer charges of fraud. The charges stem from the company’s failure to deliver on several construction projects for Mrs. Chiwenga, a colonel in the Zimbabwe National Army.
According to prosecutor Tafara Chirambira, the Mudiwas convinced Mrs. Chiwenga that they could complete a double-storey house, a cottage, and a perimeter wall within 90 days. Based on these assurances, Mrs. Chiwenga paid Gray Homes a significant upfront sum of US$560,000. However, the Mudiwas allegedly diverted a portion of the funds for personal use and failed to fulfill their contractual obligations, leaving Mrs. Chiwenga at a loss of US$389,100.
In a separate incident, the Mudiwas are accused of misleading Mrs. Chiwenga again when they claimed they could build a warehouse at Chivaraidze Farm in Goromonzi. Relying on their assurances, Mrs. Chiwenga transferred an additional US$550,000. However, this project was also left incomplete, and the couple allegedly misappropriated US$390,000 of the funds.
The third charge involves an agreement made in September of the previous year, where Mrs. Chiwenga paid US$158,000 for the construction of a shopping mall at Silalatshani Business Centre in Filabusi. Despite receiving the funds, the Mudiwas reportedly misused US$151,000, failing to complete the project as promised.
The case has been adjourned for a bail hearing, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud.