Munyaradzi Kereke, a former advisor to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, finds himself detained for frau in a stunning turn of events. This incident has also ensnared Everisto Rukasha, the temporarily relieved CEO of the Harare Municipal Medical Aid Society (HMMAS), as both individuals now face charges together.These two individuals were brought before a magistrate in Harare, where they have been remanded in custody pending the initiation of their bail proceedings.
The matter revolves around the alleged fraudulent extraction of $137,000 from HMMAS. According to the prosecution, in 2014, Rukasha, acting on behalf of HMMAS, agreed to purchase Kereke’s Fortress Hospital in Ruwa for $800,000.
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Reportedly, following HMMAS’s complete payment for the hospital, Kereke and Rukasha orchestrated a scheme by falsely claiming that Kereke was still owed an additional $400,000. Rukasha is accused of fraudulently acknowledging this supposed debt in March 2022, which prompted HMMAS to make a partial payment of $120,000.
The ruse began to unravel in July when the board became aware that there was, in fact, no outstanding debt and, as a result, ceased further payments. Nonetheless, facing threats from Kereke to repossess the hospital, additional charges were made.
The situation took a dramatic turn when the board reversed its decision to make payments and promptly reported the incident to anti-corruption authorities, culminating in the subsequent arrests.
Munyaradzo was arrested in 2016 for sexually assaulting a minor relative at gunpoint. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and served the term at Chikurubhi Maximum Prison.
Kereke, however, walked out of prison in 2021 with ten months remaining on his sentence to be served.
Source iHarare.com
