Crimes and Courts Correspondent
A Harare couple, Annavester and Gray Mudiwa, owners of Gray Homes Construction company, attempted to flee the country after defrauding Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Miniyothabo, of close to US$1 million, the court heard.
“The accused ran away from us on 27 August and were arrested on August 28 at the Beitbridge Border Post trying to run away,” Investigating Officer Cain Machingami told the court.
“From my preliminary investigations, I have a reasonable suspicion that the accused indeed committed the offense, which is why they were running away from the police.”
The couple faces three counts of fraud after allegedly exaggerating their capacity to construct several buildings, including a double-storey house, a cottage, and a boundary wall.
“The accused persons diverted the funds for their own use and did not complete the project, leading the complainant to suffer a prejudice of US$389 100,” State prosecutor Tinashe Charambira said.
Annavester Mudiwa claimed that they delayed completing the projects due to changes in building material prices.
“The complainant gave us six projects, we completed the first three… All the three projects are valued at US$1 million, that is why the complainant gave us another three projects to complete because she was happy with the work we had done.”
The couple’s actions resulted in a total financial prejudice of US$930 100, with nothing recovered so far. They were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post on August 28 while attempting to flee the country.
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