Own Correspondent|Flamboyant businessman and Harare International Carnival brand ambassador Genius Kadungure (popularly known as Ginimbi) has implicated former first lady Grace Mugabe for obstructing justice and blocking his alleged accomplice Wicknell Chivayo’s arrest.

Chivayo was recently acquitted in the matter leaving Kadungure to solely face the accusations of duping some businessmen money amounting to over R2 million.

Kadungure allegedly duped Chegutu West Member of Parliament Dexter Nduna and Ivon Gatawa because proceeds from the offence were traced to his Pioneer Gas company’s bank account.

His application for discharge at the close of the State’s case was dismissed as the magistrate indicated that he had a case to answer after he paid back $50 000 to the Gatawa brothers- a sign of admission of guilt.

In his defense Kadungure indicated that he was a victim and the real culprit was Chivayo but he was untouchable.

“I learnt of the matter in 2014 after I was accused of having a hand in defrauding Dexter Nduna and the Gatawas of their money but I was just a victim like.

“ All I did was pay an equivalent of R500 000 to Danyar Kabwebwe who later deposited the money for the purchase of gas for my company.

“I never had business dealings with Chivayo before as we were only friends when it came to our partying lives. I learnt of his involvement in the matter after Kabwebwe told me that she had gotten money from him and I have evidence from Chivayo in the form of phone recordings where he confesses of having a hand in the offence.

“When I got arrested I tried to assist the investigating officers to get to the bottom of the issue by giving them the evidence that I had but at that time Chivayo was untouchable because the then first lady (Grace Mugabe”was protecting him.

“I even went to the former first lady to try and get Chivayo arrested but apparently he was untouchable and it was to no avail,” he said.

Kadungure also claimed that he paid $50 000 USD to the Gatawa brothers not because he wanted to conceal the matter but because my lawyers advised me that it was the fastest way to let the matter rest as he has a reputation to maintain.

“I paid the Gatawa’s money not because I was hiding or accepting that I had defrauded anyone but because I did not want to waste my time going to court and I also have a reputation to protect and one can always get more money,” he said.

The matter has been rolled over to November 30 for judgment.

Allegations are that sometime in November 2012, Kadungure created a fictitious company named Transco Civil Engineering based in South Africa with the intent of duping the businessmen.

He reportedly gave the complainant an order to supply 10 T-90 Transco-Flo Helical Rotor pumps and referred him to Transco knowing that it was a fictitious company under the guise that they were doing business on behalf of Marange Diamonds.

The complainant then sent his brother, Enock Gatawa and R446 900 was deposited into Transco’s ABSA account and a further R600 000 in two instalments the following day.

After transferring the money, Gatawa contacted Transco and was told to go back to Zimbabwe and wait for delivery of the pumps in three days.

To his surprise, Gatawa got a parcel that had four cell-phone chargers and attempts of contacting their dealer were futile as they were no longer picking their phones.

Kadungure was implicated in the matter after some of the money that had been deposited into the ABSA bank account was traced to his Pioneer Gas company.

It is the State’s case that using the same modus operandi, Kadungure opened an ABSA bank account under the name Always on Pumps (Private) Limited.

He then approached Dexter Nduna claiming they were supplying mining pumps. Nduna was given an order for 20 T-90 Transco-Flo Helical Rotor pumps before being referred to Always on Pumps, which was purported to be a reputable supplier.

He lost R535 000 in the deal as Chivayo and Kadungure became evasive.

Chivayo was later acquitted after the magistrate found no nexus linking him to the offence.

Media was recently awash with images showing Kadungure proceeding beyond arrivals terminals and straight to immigration counters. After collecting his guests, Ginimbi proceeded to walk them past ZIMRA check points and to his entrouge waiting outside.

M&T