Petros Chiropa from Chigodora, who claimed to be a traditional healer, received a prison sentence of 54 months after courts found him guilty of stealing $20,100 from Assistant Commissioner Florence Marume of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The court ordered Chiropa to pay back $8,100, which remains from the original amount taken. Mutare provincial magistrate Annie Ndiraya presided over the case where Chiropa faced theft and money laundering charges. He initially received bail but was arrested again after breaking the terms of his release.
Despite maintaining his innocence throughout the trial, the evidence against Chiropa proved substantial enough for a conviction. He attempted to defend himself by stating he was a successful healer with considerable wealth, denying any wrongdoing. He further claimed he only knew Marume and her household employee, Precious Nyasha Manyawu, through their church connections. The court discovered that Chiropa had actually formed a romantic relationship with Manyawu, and together they planned the theft.
The investigation determined that Chiropa spent the stolen money on various luxury purchases, including a Toyota Runx vehicle, new furniture pieces, and a large television set. Manyawu, who participated in the crime with Chiropa, currently serves her sentence at Mutare Remand Prison. Prosecutor Tafadzwa Zulu explained to the court that Marume had given Manyawu the money for safekeeping purposes at her residence.
On December 16, 2023, Marume requested the return of her funds, but Manyawu could not produce them. Further investigation traced the missing money directly to Chiropa, who had taken it with help from Manyawu. Law enforcement officials recovered $12,000 of the stolen funds during their investigation. Chiropa must repay the remaining balance of $8,100 as part of his sentence.
Despite maintaining his innocence throughout the trial, the evidence against Chiropa proved substantial enough for a conviction. He attempted to defend himself by stating he was a successful healer with considerable wealth, denying any wrongdoing. He further claimed he only knew Marume and her household employee, Precious Nyasha Manyawu, through their church connections. The court discovered that Chiropa had actually formed a romantic relationship with Manyawu, and together they planned the theft.
The investigation determined that Chiropa spent the stolen money on various luxury purchases, including a Toyota Runx vehicle, new furniture pieces, and a large television set. Manyawu, who participated in the crime with Chiropa, currently serves her sentence at Mutare Remand Prison. Prosecutor Tafadzwa Zulu explained to the court that Marume had given Manyawu the money for safekeeping purposes at her residence.
On December 16, 2023, Marume requested the return of her funds, but Manyawu could not produce them. Further investigation traced the missing money directly to Chiropa, who had taken it with help from Manyawu. Law enforcement officials recovered $12,000 of the stolen funds during their investigation. Chiropa must repay the remaining balance of $8,100 as part of his sentence.
