Munyaradzi Kereke remanded in custody over HMMAS f...

Munyaradzi Kereke remanded in custody over HMMAS fraud

Zim Now Writer

Kereke remanded in custody Former advisor to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe ex-governor, Munyaradzi Kereke appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court yesterday facing charges of defrauding the Harare Municipal Medical Aid Society of US$137 000.

Kereke was being charged together with HMMAS chief executive officer, Everisto Rukasha and they appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.

They were remanded in custody to today for bail application.

HMMAS, a subsidiary of the City of Harare, is the complainant in this case.

City of Harare has already suspended Rukasha. Kereke is the founder and owner of Briward (Pvt) Ltd t/a Fortress Hospital.

The court heard that sometime in early 2014, Rukasha and Kereke agreed to enter into an agreement of sale whereby the latter would sell his immovable property, Fortress Hospital located at number 9653 Ruwa Township, Chipukutu, Sebastopol to HMMAS.

Kereke then appointed one Newton Madzika, the managing director of Health Body Images (Pvt) Ltd to conduct the transaction on his behalf.

On November 7, 2014, HMMAS met its obligation by paying the full purchase price of US$800 000 into Health Body Images’ bank account.

On March 18, 2022, after conniving with Rukasha, Kereke wrote to HMMAS misrepresenting that HMMAS still owed him US$400 000 from the purchase of the property.

Kereke then approached the HMMAS board, threatening to repossess the property which was still in his name and made it clear to them that he was still in possession of the title deeds to the property.

As a result, HMMAS authorised payment towards the liquidation of the fraudulently-generated debt.