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Businessman gets 12 years for robbery
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Harare businessman Paul Zhou was last week sentenced to an effective eight-year jail term for conspiring with the late armed robber Godknows Machingura to target fellow businessman Paul Chimbodza.
Zhou, 55, faced two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and was convicted on both by Harare regional magistrate Taurai Manuwere, who handed him six years on each count. Four years of the sentence were suspended on the condition that Zhou does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
The prosecution had also charged South African nationals Ndiafhi Makhado (39), Andrew Masubelele (38), and Emmanuel Makamo (22), who were acquitted after magistrate Manuwere found no evidence linking them to the crime.
In delivering the judgment, magistrate Manuwere said evidence clearly showed that Zhou actively conspired with Machingura to target 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 Machingura. This is the car that the complainant saw while exercising, which was later pursued by detectives," the magistrate said.
He added that the conspiracy extended to December 19, when Machingura sent Zhou a WhatsApp message regarding the complainant's Toyota GD6 vehicle at his mine in Shamva.
"All this shows Machingura intended to rob the complainant, and Zhou played an active part. His 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 is proof beyond reasonable doubt that he connived with Machingura," magistrate Manuwere stated.
The magistrate also clarified that the other accused were not involved: Makamo was in South Africa at the time, and although Makhado and Masubelele were in Zimbabwe, no evidence placed them at the scene or in Machingura's company.
The gang came under police surveillance after a tip-off regarding their plot to rob Chimbodza. A raid on a guest house they had booked led to a shootout, during which Machingura and accomplice Jabulani Ngobeni were shot dead.
Zhou's sentencing marks a conclusion to a high-profile case that highlighted the involvement of local business figures in violent criminal schemes and the law enforcement efforts to thwart such plots.
Zhou, 55, faced two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and was convicted on both by Harare regional magistrate Taurai Manuwere, who handed him six years on each count. Four years of the sentence were suspended on the condition that Zhou does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
The prosecution had also charged South African nationals Ndiafhi Makhado (39), Andrew Masubelele (38), and Emmanuel Makamo (22), who were acquitted after magistrate Manuwere found no evidence linking them to the crime.
In delivering the judgment, magistrate Manuwere said evidence clearly showed that Zhou actively conspired with Machingura to target 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 Machingura. This is the car that the complainant saw while exercising, which was later pursued by detectives," the magistrate said.
"All this shows Machingura intended to rob the complainant, and Zhou played an active part. His 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 is proof beyond reasonable doubt that he connived with Machingura," magistrate Manuwere stated.
The magistrate also clarified that the other accused were not involved: Makamo was in South Africa at the time, and although Makhado and Masubelele were in Zimbabwe, no evidence placed them at the scene or in Machingura's company.
The gang came under police surveillance after a tip-off regarding their plot to rob Chimbodza. A raid on a guest house they had booked led to a shootout, during which Machingura and accomplice Jabulani Ngobeni were shot dead.
Zhou's sentencing marks a conclusion to a high-profile case that highlighted the involvement of local business figures in violent criminal schemes and the law enforcement efforts to thwart such plots.
Source - The Herald
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