happiness ChikwanhaZvikomborero Parafini
FORMER top model Mercy Mushaninga is back in court today for bail ruling after spending the weekend behind bars.
Mushaninga initially appeared in court on Friday before magistrate Dennis Mangosi facing five counts of fraud.
The complainants are Daniel Tineyi Muzondo, Temani Isabel, Wendy Kamwana, Shalom Ramunyenyiwo and Eldah Wadzanai Chitate.
The court heard that in August, Mushaninga, a former Miss Princess Zimbabwe Model, contacted the complainants, who are models, and flighted an advert on WhatsApp inviting them to participate in two pageants in Dubai.
The two pageants were the sixth Miss Universal VIP World 2022 and the 16th Little Miss Universe Beauty pageant, which were scheduled for October 25-30.
Mushaninga allegedly introduced herself as the organiser of the events and asked the models to pay for their air tickets, visa fees and accommodation through her.
She advised them that they would be travelling and staying together as a team at Al Habtoor Hotel Polo Resort in Dubai.
The models allegedly paid different amounts, ranging from US$1 650 to US$2 900 each to Mushaninga, to cater for the costs.
The court heard that on October 24, the day they were set to travel, the models learnt that they had been duped by Mushaninga after she failed to provide their tickets at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Investigations so far have established that
Shalom Ramunyenyiwa, (31) and Tamar Kunashe Ramunyenyiwa, a minor aged eight years, are now stuck at Al Habtoor Hotel Polo Resort in Dubai, after Mushaninga swindled them of US$2 000 cash meant for their hotel bills.
They have since approached the Zimbabwean Embassy for assistance.
Mushaninga swindled the models of about US$10 200.
Pardon Dziva appeared for the State.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter