Five South African men face 10-year prison terms in Zimbabwe after authorities foiled their plan to kill a local businessman. A Zimbabwean court found Moses Monde, Malvin Manzinde, Malvin Tatenda Nyamuranga, Norbert Muponda, and Joshua Mapuranga guilty of assault and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. The court initially handed down 12-year sentences for each man but reduced them by two years for good behavior.
The case started with a business deal gone wrong. Oliver Tendai Chipindu paid $800,000 to Obrian Mapurisa for liquefied petroleum gas tankers. Between November 2022 and January 2024, Chipindu repeatedly tried to get paperwork for his purchase. Mapurisa avoided these requests until Chipindu contacted the Turkish supplier directly. He learned Mapurisa had only paid a $132,000 deposit and kept the rest of his money.
When confronted, Mapurisa admitted he diverted the funds but promised to repay Chipindu later. Fed up with delays, Chipindu traveled to Turkey in February to make new arrangements for his tankers. This move angered Mapurisa, who then allegedly hired the South African hitmen to eliminate his business partner. Mapurisa gave them a photo of Chipindu and his address in Mt. Pleasant.
A friend warned Chipindu about the murder plot after he returned to Zimbabwe. Chipindu and his friend set a trap, luring the would-be killers back into the country. Police arrested the five men after they booked rooms at an Avondale hotel. Mapurisa remains at large, according to the National Prosecuting Authority.
The case started with a business deal gone wrong. Oliver Tendai Chipindu paid $800,000 to Obrian Mapurisa for liquefied petroleum gas tankers. Between November 2022 and January 2024, Chipindu repeatedly tried to get paperwork for his purchase. Mapurisa avoided these requests until Chipindu contacted the Turkish supplier directly. He learned Mapurisa had only paid a $132,000 deposit and kept the rest of his money.
When confronted, Mapurisa admitted he diverted the funds but promised to repay Chipindu later. Fed up with delays, Chipindu traveled to Turkey in February to make new arrangements for his tankers. This move angered Mapurisa, who then allegedly hired the South African hitmen to eliminate his business partner. Mapurisa gave them a photo of Chipindu and his address in Mt. Pleasant.
A friend warned Chipindu about the murder plot after he returned to Zimbabwe. Chipindu and his friend set a trap, luring the would-be killers back into the country. Police arrested the five men after they booked rooms at an Avondale hotel. Mapurisa remains at large, according to the National Prosecuting Authority.
