News / National
Legal battle over Gono linked company continues in Harare court
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A Harare couple, Aisha and Clark Clever Makoni, is embroiled in a legal dispute over allegations of fraudulently altering the directorship of Valley Lodges, a company reportedly linked to former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono.
The couple appeared before Magistrate Stanford Mambanje, denying the charges leveled against them. The case took a twist as Ayoob Omar, representing Valley Lodge (Private) Limited as its director and secretary, testified that he was unaware of any fraudulent activity committed by the accused and had not filed a complaint with the police or the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Omar further stated that the directorship of the company had never changed, directly contradicting the State's claims of forged alterations. The court also heard that no company resolution was submitted authorizing anyone to represent Valley Lodge in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Prosecutor Heather Muwokoto was informed during cross-examination that no official changes to the company's directors had been made. Magistrate Mambanje noted that exhibits presented in court through Omar did not implicate Valley Lodge (Private) Limited in the alleged fraud.
The State alleges that in July 2017, the complainant engaged Aisha and Clark Clever Makoni to manage Valley Lodge and other properties.
On August 10, 2017, the couple allegedly forged a CR14 form, appointing Clark as director and company secretary and Beverly as his deputy. Armed with this forged document, the pair reportedly approached ZB Bank in Mutare, claiming to be the new shareholders and attempting to change the signatories to Valley Lodge's bank accounts.
The prosecution alleges that the couple fraudulently gained control of Valley Lodge's bank accounts and stole funds, thereby unlawfully taking over the complainant's company.
The case has been adjourned to February 7 for further proceedings. The court is expected to continue examining evidence and witness testimonies to determine the merits of the allegations.
This dispute highlights ongoing concerns about corporate governance and fraudulent practices in Zimbabwe's business sector.
The couple appeared before Magistrate Stanford Mambanje, denying the charges leveled against them. The case took a twist as Ayoob Omar, representing Valley Lodge (Private) Limited as its director and secretary, testified that he was unaware of any fraudulent activity committed by the accused and had not filed a complaint with the police or the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Omar further stated that the directorship of the company had never changed, directly contradicting the State's claims of forged alterations. The court also heard that no company resolution was submitted authorizing anyone to represent Valley Lodge in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Prosecutor Heather Muwokoto was informed during cross-examination that no official changes to the company's directors had been made. Magistrate Mambanje noted that exhibits presented in court through Omar did not implicate Valley Lodge (Private) Limited in the alleged fraud.
The State alleges that in July 2017, the complainant engaged Aisha and Clark Clever Makoni to manage Valley Lodge and other properties.
On August 10, 2017, the couple allegedly forged a CR14 form, appointing Clark as director and company secretary and Beverly as his deputy. Armed with this forged document, the pair reportedly approached ZB Bank in Mutare, claiming to be the new shareholders and attempting to change the signatories to Valley Lodge's bank accounts.
The prosecution alleges that the couple fraudulently gained control of Valley Lodge's bank accounts and stole funds, thereby unlawfully taking over the complainant's company.
The case has been adjourned to February 7 for further proceedings. The court is expected to continue examining evidence and witness testimonies to determine the merits of the allegations.
This dispute highlights ongoing concerns about corporate governance and fraudulent practices in Zimbabwe's business sector.
Source - newsday
