The Harare Magistrates' Court has sentenced Paul Enest Mzenge Zhou, the leader of a transnational armed robbery syndicate, to an effective eight years behind bars following his conviction for orchestrating a series of attempted violent robberies across Harare and Kwekwe in 2023.
Zhou operated alongside South African nationals Ndiafhi Makhado, Andrew Reabetore Masubelele, Emmanuel Makam, and two now-deceased accomplices, Jabulani Ngobeni and Godknows Machingura, masterminding the gang’s elaborate plans to rob high-value targets in Zimbabwe.
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In November 2023, the gang attempted to rob a businessman at his Mt Pleasant residence in Harare. They arrived in a gold Toyota Fortuner and a black Toyota Surf, armed with pistols, but fled after discovering that detectives had set an ambush.
Undeterred, the group regrouped between December 16 and 19, 2023, plotting further attacks—first targeting Kwekwe businessman Hu Jiaguang and then Chroneweld Minerals. Their plans were foiled when detectives tracked them to a guest house in Arcadia, leading to a gunfight that resulted in Ngobeni’s death.
Machingura later attempted to flee near Morgan High School, firing at detectives before being captured. Authorities recovered a 9mm Star pistol, a 9mm Taurus pistol, several rounds of live ammunition, and three getaway vehicles during the operation.
Zhou was convicted after trial and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, with four years suspended on condition of good behaviour, resulting in an effective eight-year term. Police continue to work on dismantling regional robbery syndicates operating across borders.
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