NEW: Zimbabwean businessman hires hitmen to kill partner

Online Reporter

FIVE suspected South Africa-based Zimbabwean hitmen were arrested at a lodge in one of Harare’s affluent suburbs on Thursday after they were allegedly hired by a local businessman to kill his partner following a botched US$800 000 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers importation deal.

The deal, which was for the importation of LPG gas tankers from Italy, was agreed two years ago.

Moses Monde (37), Marlvin Manzinde (30), Malvin Tatenda Nyamuranga (33), Nobert Muponda (45) and Joshua Mapuranga (41), who were reportedly sent to kill businessman Oliver Tendai Chipindu (44), were arrested by detectives from CID Homicide following a tip-off.

Monde, of Nyamhunga in Kariba, was staying in Dellvile, Germistone; Manzinde of St Mary’s Chitungwiza was residing in Mfuleni, Cape Town; Nyamuranga, of Budiriro 5B in Harare, was in Cape Town; while Muponda Mapuranga was living in Cape Town, South Africa.

The five suspected hitmen were allegedly hired by Obrian Obert Mapurisa to kill Oliver Tendai Chipindu following the 2022 deal.

Mapurisa is understood to be currently on the run.

Sources said the five suspects travelled to Harare on the first week of March from South Africa to look for their target.

They then failed to locate him and spent a week staying at a lodge in Avondale, Harare, where they were later nabbed.

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.

“I can confirm that five suspects have been arrested and are currently assisting police with investigations,” he said.