State withdraws charges against Gray Homes owners accused of defrauding Vice President’s wife in multiple construction projects.

Harare prosecutors have withdrawn fraud charges against Annavestah and Gray Mudiwa, owners of Gray Homes, who were accused of defrauding Zimbabwe Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife of nearly US$1 million through unfinished construction projects. The case was dismissed before Magistrate Donald Ndirowei without explanation.

The construction company owners faced allegations of misappropriating funds from three major projects commissioned by Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga in 2023, including a luxury mansion, warehouse, and shopping mall development.

Prosecutors had alleged the Mudiwas received US$560,000 in March 2023 for a double-storey mansion project, but diverted US$389,100 for personal use while leaving the construction incomplete.

The couple also allegedly misappropriated US$390,000 from a US$550,000 warehouse project at Chivaraidze Farm in Goromonzi, commissioned in June 2023.

A third project at Silalatshani Business Centre in Filabusi saw the Mudiwas accused of diverting US$151,000 from a US$158,000 payment meant for shopping mall construction in September 2023.

None of the allegedly misappropriated funds have been recovered. The state’s decision to withdraw charges against the prominent construction couple comes without any public explanation of the reasoning.

The case had drawn significant attention due to the involvement of the Vice President’s wife and the substantial sums involved in the alleged fraud.