In a shocking turn of events, five South African hitmen were sentenced to 50 years in prison for plotting to kidnap and assault Zimbabwean businessman Oliver Tendai Chipindu. The mastermind behind the plot, Obrian Mapurisa, remains at large.
.Chipindu was defrauded of $800,000 in a failed transaction to purchase liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers. Mapurisa, who had agreed to sell the tankers to Chipindu, diverted the funds, sparking a chain of events that led to the attempted hit.
When Chipindu confronted Mapurisa about the missing funds, Mapurisa promised to pay once he recouped the money. However, Chipindu’s persistence in seeking alternative arrangements for the tankers enraged Mapurisa, who then allegedly hired the hitmen to eliminate his business partner.
Chipindu learned of the plot from a friend and cleverly lured the hitmen back to Zimbabwe, where they were arrested after booking accommodation in Avondale. The court heard that Mapurisa provided the hitmen with Chipindu’s photo and address, but their plan was ultimately foiled.
Justice Served
The five hitmen – Moses Monde, Malvin Manzinde, Malvin Tatenda Nyamuranga, Norbert Muponda, and Joshua Mapuranga – were found guilty of assault and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Each was initially sentenced to 12 years, with two years suspended for good behavior, meaning they will serve 10 years each.
END//..
