Five guys from South Africa must serve 10 years behind bars. They planned to grab Mr Oliver Chipindu off the streets plus beat him up badly. Moses Monde, Malvin Manzinde, Malvin Tatenda Nyamuranga, Norbert Muponda, and Joshua Mapuranga all heard their punishment from Harare judge Mr Stanford Mambanje. The court found them guilty after they tried everything to escape punishment through the trial process.
The trouble began when Mr Chipindu lost $800,000 during a business deal gone wrong. He wanted to buy gas tankers, but Obrian Mapurisa took his cash. Mapurisa ran away with most of the money and still hides from police today. Prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyandu told the court these men planned everything carefully as part of a crime gang. Judge Mambanje agreed when he decided how long they should stay locked up.
The judge spoke firmly about what these men did wrong. He called their crime well-planned and organized by people who loved money more than human life. The court gave each man 12 years at first but reduced it slightly if they behaved themselves during their time locked away. The judge noted that hiring people to hurt others happens more often in South Africa than Zimbabwe, yet he must protect local citizens from such dangers regardless.
Court papers showed how Mr Chipindu gave Mapurisa $800,000 across several payments to buy seven gas tankers from Turkey. Problems started when Mr Chipindu asked for papers proving tank ownership back in January 2024. Mapurisa kept avoiding him until Mr Chipindu called the Turkish supplier directly. He learned that only $132,000 reached Turkey as deposit money—the rest vanished completely. Mapurisa admitted he spent the money elsewhere but promised to fix things, yet he kept running away whenever asked for repayment.
Mr Chipindu flew to Turkey last February 28 because the supplier planned to sell his tanks to someone else. His determination made Mapurisa very angry. The frustrated business partner hired these five attackers, giving them photos plus address details about where to find Mr Chipindu. They traveled from South Africa with clear orders - kidnap him, break his legs and collarbone to stop him from causing more trouble. The hitmen met their target at an Avondale lodge on March 19, discussing all attack details openly. Luckily, Mr Chipindu recorded everything secretly on his phone. Police arrested everyone before anyone suffered harm, thanks to early warnings about the dangerous plot.
The trouble began when Mr Chipindu lost $800,000 during a business deal gone wrong. He wanted to buy gas tankers, but Obrian Mapurisa took his cash. Mapurisa ran away with most of the money and still hides from police today. Prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyandu told the court these men planned everything carefully as part of a crime gang. Judge Mambanje agreed when he decided how long they should stay locked up.
The judge spoke firmly about what these men did wrong. He called their crime well-planned and organized by people who loved money more than human life. The court gave each man 12 years at first but reduced it slightly if they behaved themselves during their time locked away. The judge noted that hiring people to hurt others happens more often in South Africa than Zimbabwe, yet he must protect local citizens from such dangers regardless.
Court papers showed how Mr Chipindu gave Mapurisa $800,000 across several payments to buy seven gas tankers from Turkey. Problems started when Mr Chipindu asked for papers proving tank ownership back in January 2024. Mapurisa kept avoiding him until Mr Chipindu called the Turkish supplier directly. He learned that only $132,000 reached Turkey as deposit money—the rest vanished completely. Mapurisa admitted he spent the money elsewhere but promised to fix things, yet he kept running away whenever asked for repayment.
Mr Chipindu flew to Turkey last February 28 because the supplier planned to sell his tanks to someone else. His determination made Mapurisa very angry. The frustrated business partner hired these five attackers, giving them photos plus address details about where to find Mr Chipindu. They traveled from South Africa with clear orders - kidnap him, break his legs and collarbone to stop him from causing more trouble. The hitmen met their target at an Avondale lodge on March 19, discussing all attack details openly. Luckily, Mr Chipindu recorded everything secretly on his phone. Police arrested everyone before anyone suffered harm, thanks to early warnings about the dangerous plot.
