South Africans Cleared In Late Kingpin’s Robbery Plot
Three South African men have been dramatically acquitted in a high-profile armed robbery case linked to the criminal network of the deceased kingpin, Godknows Machingura. Their lawyer, Claude Bare, mounted a strong defence that led to their freedom. The Harare magistrate delivered the verdict on Friday, 6 October 2025, after a lengthy and tumultuous trial that saw one lawyer quit, citing threats from the police. The state’s case collapsed, leading to the acquittal of the three South Africans, Ndiafhi Makhado (39), Andrew Masubelele (38), and Emmanuel Makamo (22). However, their alleged local accomplice, Paul Zhou, was convicted for his role in the criminal plot.
A Fatal Police Raid And A Grisly Discovery
The group’s legal troubles began with a police raid in December 2023. According to court proceedings, detectives stormed a guest house on Mauritius Road in Arcadia, Harare, acting on a tip-off about a planned robbery targeting businessman Paul Chimbodza.
The situation turned violent. One of the suspects, Jabulani Ngobeni, opened fire on the detectives, triggering a shoot-out. Ngobeni was shot in the hip during the exchange. The police arrested Ngobeni, Makhado, Masubelele, Zhou, and Makamo.
A 9 mm Star Pistol loaded with four rounds was recovered. Several suspects, including the South Africans, were injured and taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Ngobeni died shortly after admission.
During investigations, Zhou confessed that he had booked the guest house and hired two vehicles — a Toyota Fortuner and a Honda Fit — after receiving US$400 (approx. R7,200) from Machingura. However, during the trial, Zhou retracted the alleged confession, arguing that it had been made under duress. The prosecution also alleged that the gang planned to commit a robbery along Birmingham Road in Kwekwe.
Separately, Machingura was later lured to Morgan High School in Arcadia. After a high-speed chase and another shoot-out, he was shot and taken to Parirenyatwa, where he died on admission. Police said they recovered a 9 mm Taurus Pistol with nine live rounds from him.
A Trial Haunted By The Kingpin’s Ghost
Five months later, in May 2024, the trial of the four surviving suspects began, but it was immediately overshadowed by the ghost of their slain alleged leader. According to HMetro, the accused demanded that the state produce a letter from a doctor confirming Machingura’s death.
Prosecutor Tafara Charumbira dismissed the request, saying:
“There was a request for post-mortem reports for Godknows Machingura and one Jabulani, those persons aren’t before this court. This trial, or what we intend to prove, doesn’t involve the cause of those two individuals’ deaths because it’s common knowledge that they are dead.”
The courtroom drama deepened in November 2025. According to NewZimbabwe, Zhou’s lawyer, Musindo Hungwe, quit midway through the trial, citing threats from CID Homicide detectives. Hungwe told the court:
“Following that announcement, covert and overt efforts have been made to Zhou’s lawyers by members of CID Homicide and people who have links to them trying to influence us not to use the said videos.”
Hungwe further alleged that another lawyer, Joseph Nemaisa, had been forced off the case under similar intimidation. Advocate Lovemore Madhuku later replaced Hungwe as Zhou’s legal counsel.
The Dramatic Acquittal, Freeman Links, And A Family’s Quest For Answers
With lawyer Claude Bare leading their defence, the three South Africans were cleared after a full trial. The magistrate ruled on October 6, 2025, that the state had failed to prove its case. Their acquittal brought an end to nearly two years of legal uncertainty.
Zhou, however, was convicted and now awaits sentencing on 15 October 2025.
Machingura’s name had earlier surfaced in Zimdancehall circles. He was known to associate with artists, and in January 2024, popular musician Freeman — real name Energy Chizanga — was questioned by detectives over links with suspected armed robbers. Freeman was interviewed by CID Homicide after images circulated online showing him with individuals linked to serious crimes, including Machingura.
The death of Machingura also remains a source of controversy. In February 2024, his family dismissed the police’s account. A family member alleged an autopsy revealed five bullet wounds, not one.
“In the news, it is falsely reported that Godknows sustained a gunshot wound yet he has five gunshot wounds; two shots in the head, one gunshot below the ribs, and two gunshots on his legs,” the family member said.
They accused the police of executing him in cold blood. At the time, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi responded:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting investigations and therefore calls upon Godknows Machingura’s family to engage the Commissioner-General of Police’s office with their concerns.”
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The post South Africans Cleared In Late Kingpin Godknows Machingura Robbery Plot appeared first on iHarare News.
