News / Local
Siphatheleni death plot businessman in court
24 Feb 2016 at 11:05hrs | Views
A BUSINESSMAN who allegedly plotted to kill an illegal money changer and rob her of $8,000 appeared in court yesterday.
Vincent Sibanda, 30, of Bulawayo's Nkulumane suburb and a director at Planet Timbers in Kelvin North Industrial site, allegedly connived with a manager at the company, Gift Gwatidzo, to commit the crime.
Sibanda appeared before regional magistrate Crispen Mberewere facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. He was remanded out of custody to March 9 on $200 bail.
Prosecuting, Trust Muduma said on February 18, Sibanda hatched a plan to kidnap a money changer and kill her on the company premises. He then approached Gwatidzo and informed him about his plans.
The court heard that Sibanda bought a Telecel line which he intended to use to phone his targeted victims.
Two days later, Sibanda, who was with Gwatidzo, allegedly phoned Ivy Murenga, 40, a money changer purporting that he wanted to change US dollars equivalent to R136,000.
The court heard that when Murenga arrived, Sibanda removed his shoelaces and gave Gwatidzo so that he could use them to strangle the complainant. At about 5PM, Sibanda and Gwatidzo lured Murenga into their car pretending to be potential clients.
"Murenga got suspicious and asked that she be accompanied by her male friend, but the two men sped off," said Muduma.
The court heard that Gwatidzo had earlier in the day had a change of mind and tipped the police. Acting on that tip-off, the detectives arrested Sibanda.
Vincent Sibanda, 30, of Bulawayo's Nkulumane suburb and a director at Planet Timbers in Kelvin North Industrial site, allegedly connived with a manager at the company, Gift Gwatidzo, to commit the crime.
Sibanda appeared before regional magistrate Crispen Mberewere facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. He was remanded out of custody to March 9 on $200 bail.
Prosecuting, Trust Muduma said on February 18, Sibanda hatched a plan to kidnap a money changer and kill her on the company premises. He then approached Gwatidzo and informed him about his plans.
Two days later, Sibanda, who was with Gwatidzo, allegedly phoned Ivy Murenga, 40, a money changer purporting that he wanted to change US dollars equivalent to R136,000.
The court heard that when Murenga arrived, Sibanda removed his shoelaces and gave Gwatidzo so that he could use them to strangle the complainant. At about 5PM, Sibanda and Gwatidzo lured Murenga into their car pretending to be potential clients.
"Murenga got suspicious and asked that she be accompanied by her male friend, but the two men sped off," said Muduma.
The court heard that Gwatidzo had earlier in the day had a change of mind and tipped the police. Acting on that tip-off, the detectives arrested Sibanda.
Source - chronicle
