Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono is set to appear in court on June 13 as the key witness in a fraud trial involving Harare couple Clark and Beverly Makoni. The pair is accused of fraudulently taking over Gono’s company, Valley Lodge, in a scheme involving ZW$172 million.
The Makonis, who deny the allegations and call them malicious, claim only Gono can clarify the matter. His testimony will mark the closing of the State’s case, according to prosecutor Heather Muokoto.
The State alleges the couple forged documents to install themselves as directors and misled the bank into granting them access to company accounts, from which they allegedly siphoned ZW$137 million.
Last Friday, Fadzai Chiro, a former Valley Lodge accountant, testified that she was unaware of the fraud claims and had minimal interaction with Beverly Makoni, meeting her for the first time in court. Chiro explained the lodge’s operations, noting no changes in salary procedures during her tenure.
