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Zvikomborero Parafini
GRAY HOMES Construction directors couple Annavestah and Gray Mudiwa suffered a setback yesterday as regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei ruled that they are not suitable candidates for bail.
Magistrate Ndirowei ruled that it wouldn’t be just to grant them bail upon indications that they are flight risks.
District Public Prosecutor Tafara Chirambira had argued there’s a high likelihood that if granted bail, the couple would flee because they were intercepted and arrested at Beitbridge border post about to flee to South Africa.
In their defence, the couple argued that they had a pre-planned journey to attend a mining summit in Johannesburg.
“It wouldn’t be just to grant bail upon indications that they will abscond, they were arrested at the border post en-route to South Africa.
“No evidence has been placed before this court to prove that they intended to attend a mining expo in South Africa and in the absence of such evidence, the court has no choice but to agree with the State.
“There’s a likelihood of interference and it wouldn’t be in the interests of justice to release them, this court is convinced that they are a flight risk and are likely to interfere with witnesses and their bail application is hereby dismissed,” said magistrate Ndirowei.
They were remanded in custody until September 23.
The couple was brought back before magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, who placed them on remand on seven fresh fraud charges.
In one of the charges, the complainant is Creative Itel Private Limited represented by Shalome Chigovanyika.
On that charge, Gray Homes is being charged together with Annavestah.
Allegations are that in September last year, Annavestah ordered 15 Itel 2160 phones valued at US$144 each, 480 Itel 5606 phones valued at US$5856, 84 Itel A04 valued at US$5292, 80 Itel A18 phones valued at US$4000, 42 Itel P40 phones valued at US$4284, eight Samsung A03 core phones valued at US$648, and eight Samsung A04 phones valued at US$736.
She allegedly misrepresented that the phones were meant for government officials knowing well that she had no such agreement with the Government of Zimbabwe.
She promised to settle the bill in 21 days but nothing materialized to date. In the other charge, Annavestah is appearing together with Gray Homes.
The complainant is Overexport Southern Africa Private Limited represented by Blessed Priscilla Soko.
Allegations are that between February 20 and September 4, Mudiwa allegedly duped Overexport into believing that she could pay for hardware goods that she ordered within 30 days.
The company dispatched the goods worth US$79000 and after receiving the goods, Mudiwa only paid US$39 860 and became evasive.
In the third charge, the court heard that on March 15, Osborn Tinokura Kudyanyemba of
Collare Investments was introduced to Annavestah by one Takunda Masenda.
She allegedly misrepresented to Kadyanyemba that she was running a viable hardware shop with fast and quick turnover.
Acting on the misrepresentation he went on to give Mudiwa electric switches, sockets display units, Chandelier lights down lights, and water dispensers all valued at US$31 723.
She promised to settle the bill within 30 days but became evasive prompting Kudyanyemba to file a police report
In the fourth count, the couple is appearing together with their company and it is alleged that in August last year, they connived and duped Marondera businessman Anyway Choto.
Choto is in the business of selling hardware.
They allegedly misrepresented to him that they could construct a warehouse and storage facility for him at US$ 135,000.
They promised to complete the project in 90 days.
He paid US$122 163 and after receiving the funds, the couple dug the foundation of the warehouse, diverted the funds to their own use and did not complete the project.
Choto lost US$105 963 and nothing was recovered.
Never Tembo, the Director of Virtuetrade Petroleum also fell victim to the couple and paid them US$390 000 on the agreement that they would construct a double-storey house for him in Glen Lorne.
They allegedly built the house to its ring beam and became evasive.
Tembo became aware of their whereabouts in the media when they were arrested two weeks ago.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter