By Staff Reporter
HARARE – An alleged fraudster, Caleb Tatenda Gwenzi, accused of swindling a businesswoman out of US$15,000 in a botched vehicle deal, has resurfaced in public, brazenly attending socialite Pokello Nare’s recent 40th birthday party in Italy while police investigations into his case remain ongoing.
Gwenzi is under investigation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commercial Crimes Department under case reference ER53/25.
He allegedly conned businesswoman Memory Kadau in August 2024 through a “swap-and-top” arrangement involving her Jeep Cherokee and a Ford Ranger Wildtrak he claimed he could import from South Africa.
The appearance of the self-styled dealer at Pokello’s birthday bash — a lavish celebration at Lake Como that featured Emirates first-class flights, luxury hotel suites, and high-end designer shopping sprees — has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning how a man under criminal investigation could publicly mingle with elites while his alleged victims remain uncompensated.
According to documents seen by this publication, Kadau was to surrender her Jeep Cherokee and pay a cash top-up for the Ford Ranger.
Screenshots of WhatsApp conversations, as well as bank transfer records, show payments made to Gwenzi totaling US$15,000.
Kadau alleges Gwenzi repeatedly dodged her calls and messages after receiving the money, offering shifting excuses while sending pictures of a Ford Ranger he claimed was en route to Zimbabwe.
“I was defrauded of $15,000 and the case is before the police and under investigation. There is the evidence of the conversation for a swap and top. He does not respond or pick my calls so I had to engage the police and relatives to recover my money after a year,” Kadau told this publication.
She added that in July 2025 Gwenzi engaged lawyers who initially pledged to reimburse her but later “vanished,” allegedly threatening that his ties to the Mnangagwa family made him untouchable.
“No one purchases a car for over a year. He even issued threats, saying he is connected to the Mnangagwa family and that no one can touch him,” Kadau said.
In response, Gwenzi denied swindling Kadau, insisting the deal collapsed because she failed to settle the full amount.
“The agreed price was US$43,000 and there was no Jeep Cherokee involved. She only deposited $15,000 but wanted the car delivered before paying the balance. That arrangement was declined,” Gwenzi said.
He added: “I was communicating with her and have messages that prove such. These accusations are just an attempt to tarnish my reputation.”
Gwenzi’s resurfacing at Pokello’s party has reignited public debate about his alleged strategy of flaunting links to high-profile figures to gain trust.
The socialite’s Lake Como birthday drew attention across Zimbabwe for its extravagance — from US$8,000 Emirates first-class flights to US$4,700 Dior bags and luxury hotel suites — sparking online criticism as “tone deaf” amid the country’s worsening economic hardships.
For Kadau and other potential victims, however, Gwenzi’s public reappearance while police investigations drag on has sharpened questions over accountability and the protection of alleged fraud victims in Zimbabwe.
