Mushaninga spends weekend in jail over US$10 000 f...

Mushaninga spends weekend in jail over US$10 000 fraud

Mercy Mushaninga was remanded in custody when she appeared in court yesterday facing charges of defrauding five models including a minor, of money totalling US$10,200.

The former Miss Zimbabwe runner up and modelling agency owner had her bail hearing set for Monday when she appeared before Harare Magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi.

The case against Mushaninga is that in August this year she advertised through WhatsApp social groups for 2022 Winners and LMMZ 2022 Finalists to participate in the 6th Miss Universal VIP World 2022 and the 16th Little Miss Universe Beauty Pageant events set for October 25-30 in Dubai.

The five complainants applied and were informed that Mushaninga was the organizer of the events a

The complainants agreed that they were to shoulder their own logistics costs and should pay Mushaninga who would organise for their tickets, visas and accommodation.

The complainants were informed that they would travel as group, departing Harare on October 24, and stay at the Al Habtoor Hotel Polo Resort.

The five complainants paid amounts ranging from US$1650 to US$2900 each.

On October 24, three complainants turned up at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as per plan, but Mushaninga failed to provide them with air tickets, visas and proof of hotel accommodation.

The complainants filed a report at Harare Central Police Station on October 25 leading to Mushaninga’s arrest and subsequent court appearance.

The other two complainants appear to have travelled separately to Dubai and are stranded at Al Habtoor Hotel Polo Resort after Mushaninga allegedly duped them of US$2,000.

Shalom Ramunyenyiwa, 31, and Tamar Kunashe Ramunyenyiwa, 8, are being assisted by the Zimbabwean embassy in Dubai.