Approximately five women, who claim they were misled into contributing to a savings club known as mukando, are expressing outrage after allegedly losing a total of US$30,000. These women are part of a larger group of 23 participants.
Sources report that one of the members was hospitalized after experiencing severe distress upon realizing she had lost all her savings.
The group had agreed to form the savings club in which contributions were made between January and December 28 of last year. The members anticipated sharing close to US$30,000 when the savings matured, but the club’s leader, Ruthy Charlie Mufundisi, reportedly produced only US$1,200 for distribution.
Ruthy is said to have been working with an associate, identified as Dunior Shahari.
The case has now been taken to the Small Claims Court, where it is scheduled for a hearing today.
One of the affected women, identified as Edna, claims to have lost US$4,100 in the scheme and has initiated legal proceedings.
According to sources, Ruthy has been unresponsive since the day she presented the US$1,200 instead of the expected US$30,000. Although she apologized to the group, her apology was reportedly rejected.
Court documents filed by Edna state, “The plaintiff is claiming US$4,100 from the defendants, arising from a mukando scheme which was supposed to be reimbursed in December 2024, according to the agreed terms. The defendants have unjustly benefited, which constitutes clear misconduct. Despite several demands, the defendants have refused to pay, forcing the plaintiff to seek relief from this honorable court for the payment of US$4,100 plus court costs.”
When contacted for comment, Ruthy denied stealing the money but admitted that she had failed to meet her financial obligations within the group.
“Some members even posted about this issue on Facebook,” Ruthy said. “I didn’t take the money and disappear. We were running a mukando and lending each other money. Like other members, I also had a debt I couldn’t pay back on the agreed sharing date.”
Ruthy claimed to have signed affidavits promising to pay back what she owed and stated that she is in the process of repaying her debts.
“I informed the group that I was facing financial difficulties. Some members will be repaid by the end of this month, others in March or April. There are also other debts owed by members who aren’t me. I owe money only to those I signed affidavits with,” she said.
She continued, “We even went to the police, but the case was misrepresented, making it seem like I stole the money. In reality, I borrowed from the pool and failed to pay it back. That’s why I could only bring US$1,200. I am not refusing to pay, but I cannot be blamed for everything when we were all pooling and borrowing money.”
Edna, however, insists that the issue lies with Ruthy’s mismanagement. She explained, “When you join, you decide how many shares to take. I chose three shares, with each share equivalent to US$100. Over 11 months, I was supposed to receive US$4,100.
“Throughout the year, I suspected something was wrong when we asked for statements, and Ruthy failed to provide them. On the day we were supposed to share, she showed up with just US$1,200. The confrontation didn’t go well, and I only received US$100. The matter was eventually taken to Central Police Station, where a docket was opened, but we were referred to Harare Civil Court for resolution.”
The court is expected to determine the outcome of the case in today’s hearing.
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