Wedding Day Director in US$15,000 Lease Scam Storm

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 60-year-old businesswoman, Modesta Taruvingira, director of Wedding Day Private Limited, has been charged with fraud over an alleged shop lease scam and is set to appear in court on September 23, 2025.

Taruvingira, of Mabelreign, is accused of defrauding Alcatraz Fashions Private Limited, a clothing retail company, in a deal involving a shop lease at Aress House, located at the corner of Innez Terrace and George Silundika Avenue in Harare.

According to the State, on March 1, Taruvingira entered into a non-renewable memorandum of lease agreement with Balcair Investments Private Limited for the premises, valid from March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

On May 10, the complainant, who was searching for shop space, was referred by an acquaintance named Slomo to Taruvingira.

During their meeting at Aress House, Taruvingira allegedly misrepresented that she held a valid 10-year lease with the building owner and offered to sublet the shop for US$15,000 as goodwill.

She reportedly proposed that from this amount, US$6,200 would be used to settle her rental arrears with Balcair Investments, while the remainder would go to her.

Interested in the offer, the complainant proceeded with the arrangement.

On May 12, the complainant paid US$6,200 directly to Balcair Investments’ agent at Dublin House, Harare, and handed US$8,800 to Taruvingira as goodwill.

Subsequently, Taruvingira vacated the shop on May 31, allowing the complainant to move in.

However, shortly after taking occupation, the complainant was served with notice by Balcair Investments’ lawyers, who informed him that Taruvingira’s lease had expired, was non-renewable, and that court orders had already been issued against her to vacate the property.

When approached for clarity, Taruvingira allegedly became evasive, prompting the complainant to file a police report. The complainant was prejudiced of US$15,000, none of which was recovered.