South African authorities have started auctioning the property of Marry Mubaiwa, the ex-wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to compensate victims of financial crimes she allegedly committed years ago, an official has announced.
The property in Pretoria is suspected to be linked to illicit activities.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe announced the development in a statement on Monday.
In a gesture against transactional financial crime, the South African High Court had declared Mubaiwa’s luxury immovable property located at ERF 191 Sterrewag, Extension 3, and two Land Rovers as assets that should be forfeited to the South African state in December 2022.
These assets had been placed under a preservation order since February 9 2022, due to their alleged connection to proceeds from crimes such as money laundering and illicit financial flows.
“The High Court ordered that the said properties be placed under the custody of an auctioneer, with proceeds of the public sale to be directed towards compensating the victim(s) of the offence.
“One of the forfeited vehicles was recently auctioned with the proceeds set to be transferred to the victim,” announced the NPA.
The NPA also said this case is a landmark demonstration of the strength and efficacy of cross-border legal cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“The outcome reflects the enduring partnership between the NPA of South Africa and its Zimbabwean counterpart in addressing transnational financial crimes and the recovery of proceeds of crime,” reads the statement.
Documents show that South Africa’s NPA on October 14 2021, received a request for Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) for Zimbabwe against Mubaiwa.
ZACC Commissioner Frank Muchengwa told South African authorities the anti-graft body had received information from a whistleblower that Mubaiwa had fraudulently exported funds to South Africa to buy some properties.
It is alleged that Mubaiwa instructed Memory Chakulinga, her relative and Managing Director of her two companies in SA, Falcon Project Pty and Bonnets Electrical Pty in Pretoria, to raise proforma invoices for the purchase of event tents and chairs and prepaid meters.
Muchengwa said the invoices would then be referred to the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) as if they specifically intended to purchase the goods, but the funds were allegedly diverted to purchase her personal properties.
“Chakulinga states further that Mubaiwa is her aunt and she recalls Mubaiwa approaching her to assist in setting up a business in South Africa, as she indicated that she had won a tender in Zimbabwe. Chakulinga also allegedly said Mubaiwa had told her that she had the facility to get money from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for funding the business,” Muchengwa said.
Chakulinga allegedly offered assistance with a place to open a business at her premises.
Source: Newzimbabwe
