By A Correspondent | Owners of a leading construction company, Gray Homes breathed a sigh of relief on Monday after the US$1 million fraud case against them collapsed.
The couple Gray Mudiwa (44) and wife Annavester Mudiwa (39) was accused of conning vice president constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Miniyothabo in a construction deal gone wrong.
Prosecutors withdrew charges against the two before plea when they appeared before magistrate Donald Ndirowei on Monday.
Reasons were not availed.
The two were represented by their lawyer Lovemore Madhuku.
It was alleged that the two were given a contract to build a double-storey mansion, warehouse and a shopping mall.
Prosecutors alleged that sometime in March 2023, the couple duped the complainant into believing that they could construct for her a double-storey house, a cottage and a boundary wall.
It was being alleged that they also misrepresented their capacity and falsified that they could and would complete the project in 90 days.
Miniyothabo then gave them US$ 560 000-00.
It was alleged that after receiving the funds, the accused persons diverted them to their own use, and did not complete the project prejudicing Chiwenga of US$389 100-00.
In the second count it was alleged that sometime in June 2023, the accused persons misled the complainant into believing that they were able to construct a Warehouse at Chivaraidze Farm in Goromonzi while they knew and were certain that they could not work on the construction.
Acting on the misrepresentation Chiwenga again proceeded to give to the accused persons US$550 000-00.
It was alleged that they did not complete the job and converted funds amounting to US$390 000-00 to their own use.
It was alleged that nothing was recovered.
In the last count it was alleged that in September 2023 the couple again convinced Miniyothabo that they were able to construct a Shopping Mall at Silalatshani Business Centre in Filabusi on behalf.
“The accused was given US$158 000-00 due to the misrepresentation.
“After receiving the funds, the accused persons diverted funds worth US$151 000-00 to their own use.”