News / National
Chiwenga's wife drops fraud charges
18 Feb 2025 at 03:45hrs | Views
The State on Monday withdrew criminal charges against Harare couple Annavestah Mudiwa (39) and her husband, Gray Mudiwa, who were accused of defrauding Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's wife, Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, of nearly US$1 million.
The Mudiwas, who own the prominent construction company Gray Homes, had been facing accusations of failing to complete a series of construction projects after receiving significant payments from Chiwenga. The charges were withdrawn before Harare Magistrate Donald Ndirowei, though no reasons for the decision were provided in court.
According to the State's earlier allegations, in March 2023, the Mudiwas convinced Chiwenga that they could build a double-storey mansion, a cottage, and a precast wall within 90 days, a claim that led Chiwenga to pay them US$560,000. However, it was alleged that after receiving the funds, the couple diverted them for personal use without completing the agreed-upon construction, resulting in a financial loss of US$389,100 to Chiwenga.
The second count involved a similar situation in June 2023 when the Mudiwas reportedly misled Chiwenga into believing they could construct a warehouse at Chivaraidze Farm in Goromonzi. They allegedly received US$550,000 but failed to complete the project, diverting US$390,000 for personal use.
A third charge, in September 2023, involved the Mudiwas allegedly convincing Chiwenga that they could construct a shopping mall at Silalatshani Business Centre in Filabusi. After receiving US$158,000 for the project, the couple is accused of diverting US$151,000 for personal gain, without completing the promised work.
Despite the withdrawals of charges, the case had drawn significant attention, particularly given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved. The couple had reportedly failed to deliver on the construction projects, with nothing recovered from the funds that were alleged to have been diverted.
The decision to drop the charges has left many questions unanswered, especially regarding the Mudiwas' actions and the impact of their alleged misdeeds on the Chiwenga family.
The Mudiwas, who own the prominent construction company Gray Homes, had been facing accusations of failing to complete a series of construction projects after receiving significant payments from Chiwenga. The charges were withdrawn before Harare Magistrate Donald Ndirowei, though no reasons for the decision were provided in court.
According to the State's earlier allegations, in March 2023, the Mudiwas convinced Chiwenga that they could build a double-storey mansion, a cottage, and a precast wall within 90 days, a claim that led Chiwenga to pay them US$560,000. However, it was alleged that after receiving the funds, the couple diverted them for personal use without completing the agreed-upon construction, resulting in a financial loss of US$389,100 to Chiwenga.
A third charge, in September 2023, involved the Mudiwas allegedly convincing Chiwenga that they could construct a shopping mall at Silalatshani Business Centre in Filabusi. After receiving US$158,000 for the project, the couple is accused of diverting US$151,000 for personal gain, without completing the promised work.
Despite the withdrawals of charges, the case had drawn significant attention, particularly given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved. The couple had reportedly failed to deliver on the construction projects, with nothing recovered from the funds that were alleged to have been diverted.
The decision to drop the charges has left many questions unanswered, especially regarding the Mudiwas' actions and the impact of their alleged misdeeds on the Chiwenga family.
Source - newzimbabwe
