Couple ln Court For Defrauding Vice President Chiwenga’s Wife

A Harare couple, who are the owners of the construction company Gray Homes, has been taken to court after allegedly defrauding Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Miniyothabo, of nearly $1 million. The couple, Annavestah Mudiwa (39) and her husband Gray Mudiwa, are accused of failing to deliver on multiple construction projects despite receiving substantial payments.

Represented by attorney Lovemore Madhuku, the couple, along with their company, appeared before Magistrate Donald Ndirowei on Thursday. They were remanded in custody, with their bail hearing scheduled for Friday.

According to the State, in March 2023, the Mudiwas allegedly convinced Miniyothabo Chiwenga that they could construct a double-storey house, a cottage, and a boundary wall within 90 days. “They misrepresented their capacity and falsely claimed that they could complete the project in 90 days,” the State asserted. This led Chiwenga to transfer $560,000 to the accused. However, it is alleged that the Mudiwas diverted the funds for their own use, leaving the project incomplete and causing a loss of $389,100.

In a separate incident in June 2023, the couple reportedly misled Chiwenga into believing they could construct a warehouse at Chivaraidze Farm in Goromonzi. Despite knowing they lacked the capability to execute the project, they allegedly received $550,000 from Chiwenga. “After receiving the funds, the accused did not complete the project and converted $390,000 to their own use,” stated the court. The incomplete project resulted in a financial loss of $390,000 for Chiwenga.

The third count involves an alleged fraud in September 2023, where the couple purportedly convinced Chiwenga that they could build a shopping mall at Silalatshani Business Centre in Filabusi. The Mudiwas were reportedly given $158,000 for the project but diverted $151,000 to their own use, leaving the project incomplete.

“As a result of the accused’s actions, the complainant suffered a total financial prejudice of $151,000, and nothing has been recovered so far,” the court heard.