Former top model, Mercy Mushaninga, who duped five models of a combined US$10 200 in a botched Dubai modeling event, has to pay back the money and perform 350 hours of unpaid community service at the Belvedere Vehicle Inspection Department following her conviction by a Harare magistrate.
Mushaninga (47), who is also the founder of Zim Gossip Model Agency, was convicted of fraud after a full trial by Ms Yeukai Dzuda. Ms Dzuda had initially slapped Mushaninga with a 28-month jail term.
Six months were suspended on the condition of good behavior, and another 12 months were suspended on the condition she paid back the five models she duped their US$10 200 by December 21. The remaining six months were suspended on condition she performed 350 hours of community service at the Belvedere Vehicle Inspectorate Department.
In mitigation before sentence, Mushaninga told the court that she was a single parent of two children, aged 25 and 17, and that she also takes care of her late brother’s children. But in aggravation, Prosecutor Mr Bornface Musvaire asked for a stiff penalty, adding that it was the court’s duty to protect victims.
“The accused has shown remorse. But it should be noted that the victims of the offence suffered a negative impact with some victims having to suffer in Dubai for the event that never took place,” he said.
“Some, who were still in Zimbabwe, had to prepare, go to the airport, only to face the embarrassment that they were not going to travel.
“It is of paramount importance to protect this type of victim. Society must have confidence in the courts and must know that the courts are there to protect them from such offenders.”
The State proved that in August last year, Mushaninga invited Daniel Tinei Muzondo, Isabel Temani, Wendy Kamwana, Shalom Ramunyenyiwa, and Wadzanai Chitate to participate in the 6th Miss Universal VIP World 2022 and the 16th Little Miss Universe Beauty Pageant scheduled for October 25 to 30 last year in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
They each paid up to US$2 900, totaling US$10 200. The complainants only discovered that they had been duped on October 24 on the scheduled travel date. They made a police report leading to Mushaninga’s arrest.
In other news – 3 feared dead in Kariba boat accident
Three people are feared dead after a motorized boat they were traveling in capsized near Tsetse Island in Lake Kariba on Saturday.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the accident, saying the three were still missing. The boat was reportedly carrying four people. Read More
