Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Court Reporter
HARARE businessman Paul Zhou was last week slapped with an effective 8-year jail term for conspiring with slain armed robber Godknows Machingura to rob businessman Paul Chimbodza.
He was facing two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and was convicted on both by Harare regional magistrate Taurai Manuwere, who sentenced him to six years imprisonment on each count.
Magistrate Manuwere, however, suspended four years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
Zhou (55) was being charged together with South African nationals – Ndiafhi Makhado (39) Andrew Masubelele (38) – and Emmanuel Makamo (22), who were cleared of any wrongdoing.
Magistrate Manuwere ruled that evidence produced showed that Zhou conspired with slain armed robber Machingura to rob Chimbodza.
“Zhou played a significant role together with slain armed robber Godknows Machingura and the State has managed to prove that Machingura wanted to rob the complainant. Zhou booked a lodge for Machingura on November 6, 2022 and on November 22, he hired a gold Fortuner for Godknows Machingura .
“This is the car that the complainant saw as he was exercising in the morning which was then chased by detectives. The same car was driven once again around the complainant’s residence and on December 19, Machingura sent Zhou a WhatsApp message about the complainant’s vehicle, a Toyota GD6, which was at his mine in Shamva.
“All this shows Machingura wanted to rob the complainant and Zhou played active participation. Zhou’s defence was dubious because his association with Machingura wasn’t clear, Why would he hire a vehicle for them when they had theirs with South African plates? There’s proof beyond reasonable doubt that he connived with Machingura.
“Makamo was in South Africa and it’s not in dispute that no one saw him in Harare or at the scene.
“Makhado and Masubelele were in Zimbabwe as shown on their passports, but no one saw them in Harare or at the scene, or with Machingura,” ruled magistrate Manuwere.
The gang was arrested after police were tipped off that they were planning to rob Chimbodza.
Police raided a guest house that they had booked and a shoot-out occurred in which Machingura and Jabulani Ngobeni were shot dead.
