VP Chiwenga’s wife conned of US$1 million in botched construction deals
Couple arrested and charged with fraud
Staff Reporter
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Miniyothabo Francisca Baloyi-Chiwenga lost nearly US$1 million through paying a couple which failed to complete the construction of a home, warehouse and a shopping mall in Filabusi.
A couple has been dragged to court charged with defrauding Baloyi-Chiwenga of the amount.
The two, Gray Mudiwa, aged 44, and his wife Annavester Mudiwa (39), are owners of Gray Homes, the company she hired for the projects.
Prosecutors told a Harare magistrates’ court on Thursday that the couple abandoned the projects midway even after having been paid for the jobs.
They face three counts of fraud.
The couple challenged remand placement when it appeared in court.
Tinashe Chirambira, standing for the state, alleged that sometime in March 2023, the two misrepresented to Baloyi-Chiwenga that they were able to build a double storey house, a cottage and a boundary wall for her.
“They misrepresented their capacity and falsified that they could and would complete the project in 90 days,” Chirambira told the court.
“This excited the complainant leading to her dispatching US$560 000 to the accused persons.
“After receiving the funds, the accused persons diverted them to their own use, did not complete the project leading the complainant to suffer a prejudice of US$389 100.”
Chirambira further alleged that sometime in June 2023, the two misled Baloyi-Chiwenga into believing that they could construct a warehouse at Chivaraidze Farm in Goromonzi when they knew they had no capacity to perform the job.
“Acting on the misrepresentation, the complainant proceeded to give to the accused persons US$550 000,” Chirambira said.
“After receiving the funds, the accused did not complete the project and converted funds amounting to US$390 000 to their own use…as a result of the accused’s actions, the complainant suffered a total financial prejudice in the sum of US$390 000 and nothing has been recovered thus far.”
In the third count, it is alleged that in September 2023, the two misrepresented to Baloyi-Chiwenga again that they were able to construct a shopping mall at Silalatshani Business Centre in Filabusi.
They were given US$158 000 but after receiving the money, they allegedly diverted to personal use.
As a result of the accused’s actions, court was told, the complainant suffered a total financial prejudice in the sum of US$151 000 and nothing was recovered.
The two are being represented by their lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku.
