By A Correspondent| Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Miniyothabo, have allegedly orchestrated a scheme to divert attention from their involvement in a high-profile fraud case involving Gray Homes proprietors Gray Mudiwa and Annavester.
Chiwenga and his wife are reported to be influencing the police to bring in additional complainants, thus reframing the case to portray Gray Homes as fraudulent business operators rather than exposing the Chiwengas’ excessive spending.
Sources familiar with the situation claim that Chiwenga and Miniyothabo directed the police investigation unit to seek out other complainants to dilute the focus on their dealings with Gray Homes.
“They are worried about what this case could reveal. People are asking, how did Chiwenga’s wife come up with nearly a million US dollars in just six months?” the source said.
“Moreover, why did she repeatedly engage with the company, paying them again after they failed to deliver on previous projects? These questions could damage Chiwenga’s image, especially as he positions himself as a potential successor to Mnangagwa in 2028.”
The source further revealed that the magistrate assigned to the couple’s bail hearing conveniently fell ill, seemingly buying time for the authorities to rally more complainants. Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje has since detailed several instances where Gray Homes allegedly deceived clients, leading to substantial financial losses.
In one case from August last year, businessman Anyway Choto was reportedly swindled out of US$122,163 after paying Gray Homes for the construction of a warehouse and storage facilities in Marondera. Despite promising to complete the project in 90 days, the company abandoned the project after only digging the foundation, resulting in a loss of US$105,963 for Choto.
Another incident involved Colclare Investments, represented by Osborn Kudyanyemba, who was persuaded by Annavester in March this year to supply electric switches, sockets, lights, and other equipment valued at US$31,723.50, with the promise of payment within 30 days. However, Annavester failed to honor the agreement, leading to a financial loss for Kudyanyemba.
In January, Virtuetrade Petroleum director Never Tembo fell victim to Gray Homes after seeing a YouTube advert featuring gospel musician Mathias Mhere promoting the company’s services.
Tembo contracted Gray Homes to build a double-storey house in Glen Lorne for US$390,000. Despite paying the full amount, the company abandoned the project after completing only up to the ring beam level.
A valuation showed that only US$117,000 worth of work had been completed, leaving Tembo with a loss of US$273,000.
Tembo eventually discovered the couple’s whereabouts after they were arrested for defrauding Chiwenga’s wife, bringing to light the extent of the alleged fraud and further implicating the military couple in the scandal.