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Zvikomborero Parafini
THE five men, who are in custody for allegedly conspiring to murder a city businessman, are crying foul claiming they are just ‘innocent victims’ of a vicious fight between two business moguls.
The gang, which is made up of Moses Monde, Malvin Manzinde, Malvin Tatenda Nyamuranga, Norbert Muponda and Joshua Mapuranga, was back in court yesterday.
Through their lawyer Moffat Makuvatsine, the gang argued that there’s no tangible evidence linking them to the offence and the source of the conspiracy has not been provided by the State.
They argued that they are not resident in South Africa, as alleged by the State, but they are all based in Zimbabwe and they live in this country together with their families.
They further told presiding magistrate, Stanford Mambanje, that their knowledge of each other arose in Zimbabwe working on different errands for Obrien Mapurisa, who is believed to be the mastermind.
The State argued that if released on bail, the gang was likely to abscond, as they are based in South Africa.
The investigating officer, Tirivangani Madhibha, argued that extradition of the gang will take too long if they are to return to South Africa.
The gang is back in court this Thursday for bail considerations.
The brief circumstances are that the alleged mastermind Mapurisa, who is on the run, entered into an an agreement to purchase Liquified Petroleum gas tankers in Turkey with businessman Oliver Tendai Chipindu.
Chipindu gave Mapurisa cash amounting to US$800 000 for the purchase of seven Liquified Petroleum gas tankers.
Mapurisa failed to deliver the tankers and later hired the five assassins to execute Chipindu but failed.
The hitmen were later lured to Zimbabwe by Chipindu and were arrested at a city lodge.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter
