WOMEN CHARGED FOR BUYING HOUSES USING DIRTY MONEY

Zvikomborero Parafini

TWO women from Mutare have been charged with money laundering after assisting their partners in purchasing houses with money acquired from a robbery.

Maud Mutambara (24) and Joyline Musamba (33) were charged after their partners staged a robbery and stole US$128 932.

Mutambara’s boyfriend, George Mupudzi, gave her US$26 000 to buy a house and Musamba’s husband, Roy Pedzisai Jambaya, gave her US$28 000 to do the same.

Both women knew that the money they used came from crime.

Mutambara and Musamba were not asked to plead when they appeared separately before Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa yesterday.

The court heard that Mutambara’s boyfriend, Mupudzi, who is still at large, together with his accomplices, staged a robbery at the corner Leopold Takawira Street and Bute Street in Harare and got away with cash amounting to US$128 932.

Mupudzi and Mutamara agreed to “clean” their ill-gotten wealth by purchasing a house.

Mutambara then bought a house at Raheem Farm in Mutare.

Musamba bought a house in Natview Park, Mutare, from her husband’s proceeds of crime.

Musamba and Mutambara are back in court today for bail considerations.