BINDURA – Once a revered figure within Bindura’s legal circles, known for his sharp intellect and adept defence of high-profile clients, Elatone Bonongwe now stands exposed as the alleged mastermind behind a brutal robbery syndicate. The 54-year-old senior partner at Bonongwe and Partners Legal Practice is accused of orchestrating a series of sophisticated heists, leveraging his legal expertise not to uphold justice, but to meticulously plan and execute criminal enterprises. This gripping narrative unveils a chilling double life, where Bonongwe, under the alias “General Bravo,” allegedly transformed his legal practice into a reconnaissance tool, identifying affluent targets for his “ground team.”
The downfall of Bonongwe, a man once seemingly untouchable, began to unravel with the investigation into a daring US$30,000 robbery in October 2023. The prosecution’s case hinges significantly on incriminating WhatsApp chats, which reportedly laid bare his meticulous planning and direct involvement in the criminal activities. These digital communications, obtained from the mobile phones of his alleged accomplices, paint a stark picture of a lawyer who became the CEO of a criminal enterprise, providing logistics, getaway strategies, and even legal “cover” should their illicit operations go awry.
The Anatomy of a Heist: A Lawyer’s Dark Design
The robbery that ultimately led to Bonongwe’s arrest occurred between October 25 and 26, 2023, targeting the home of Engineer Emson Chitsungo, an official with the Pfura Rural District Council in Mt Darwin. According to court documents, Bonongwe allegedly hatched the plan on October 15, instructing his uncle, Musa Gandi, to assemble a team for the mission. This team, comprising Gandi, Agnes Kunaka, Tafadzwa Chipashu, Justin James, and Terrence Musingwini, along with other unnamed accomplices, embarked on a journey from Harare to Mt Darwin in a Toyota Sienta. Armed with two sharp iron bars and an AK-47 bayonet knife, their objective was clear: to relieve Engineer Chitsungo of his valuables.
Throughout their journey, Gandi reportedly kept Bonongwe updated on their location via WhatsApp. Upon their arrival at a service station in Mt Darwin, Bonongwe allegedly met with the team, providing a final briefing before leading them to Engineer Chitsungo’s residence. Under the cloak of midnight, four members of the gang scaled the precast wall, while others remained in the getaway car, strategically parked approximately 100 metres from the house.
Once inside the premises, the gang’s brutality became evident. They encountered Tinotenda Bhunu, whom they violently assaulted with a pavement brick, undressed, and tied his hands and legs with wire and shoelaces. Bhunu was then carried to the kitchen door and covered with a room mat. The robbers then forced their way into the house, confronting Irene Jongi and Yolanda Nyamujara, seizing their mobile phones, and forcing them to lie face down in the corridor. Ethan Chitsungo, a 13-year-old, was also assaulted and made to lie in the corridor.
The most harrowing ordeal was reserved for Engineer Chitsungo. Two members of the gang entered his bedroom, forcing him to the floor and tying his hands and legs. They demanded money, and when Chitsungo stated he only had US$400, the assailants subjected him to a brutal beating with a sharp iron bar on his collarbone, back, and feet, and repeatedly kicked him in the face. In a horrifying act of torture, they plugged in an electrical iron and began burning his buttocks, all while ransacking the house. The gang ultimately fled with electrical gadgets, clothing, and cash, with initial reports estimating the total value of stolen property and cash at US$30,000.
The Digital Footprint: WhatsApp Chats and “General Bravo”
The unmasking of Bonongwe’s alleged involvement was significantly aided by the digital trail left in the form of WhatsApp conversations. The prosecution sought to admit a forensic report from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Cyber Laboratory, detailing chats between Musa Gandi’s WhatsApp account and an account registered under the number +263 772624459, bearing the user name “E Bonongwe (General Bravo).” Detective Stainlus Ruzive, a digital forensic examiner, testified to conducting a manual examination of a Samsung Galaxy A02 mobile phone, which housed the incriminating GB WhatsApp account belonging to Gandi. Screenshots of these messages, WhatsApp profile details, and device information were meticulously captured using a UFED camera, providing crucial evidence of the lawyer’s alleged orchestration of the crimes.
Despite objections from the defence team, led by Mr. Prince Ganya, regarding the admissibility of the forensic report, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda ultimately ruled in favour of the prosecution. This decision paved the way for the WhatsApp messages between Bonongwe and Gandi to be presented as key exhibits, solidifying the digital link between the respected lawyer and the violent robbery syndicate. The alias “General Bravo” itself suggests a calculated, almost military-style leadership over his criminal network, a stark contrast to the decorum expected of a legal professional.
Reconnaissance and Betrayal: The Abuse of Legal Privilege
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the Bonongwe case is the alleged abuse of his legal practice for criminal reconnaissance. The summary provided by the user explicitly states that Bonongwe used his legal knowledge to identify wealthy targets. By representing business owners in civil cases, he reportedly gained access to their financial records and home addresses, information he then allegedly passed on to his “ground team.” This insidious method highlights a profound betrayal of trust and a perversion of the legal profession’s ethical foundations.
His connection to Engineer Chitsungo, an official at the Pfura Rural District Council, further underscores this alleged modus operandi. Bonongwe, in his defence, claimed victimisation for reporting corruption involving Pfura Rural District Council stands against a certain Wisdom Kundishora. While this defence was presented, it inadvertently suggests a professional link or access to the council’s dealings, which could have provided him with the very “insider” information he is accused of exploiting. The idea that a lawyer would use his privileged position to gather intelligence for criminal acts exposes a deep-seated vulnerability within the justice system itself.
The Capture and Broader Implications
The gang’s reign of terror was brought to an abrupt halt at a police roadblock in Mazowe as they attempted to return to Harare. An attempt by the police to search their vehicle led to a desperate escape attempt, with the suspects fleeing on foot into the night. Police fired warning shots, leading to the apprehension of Gandi, Kunaka, Gwenya, and Chipashu, while four other accomplices managed to evade capture. Bonongwe himself was arrested the following day, reportedly implicated by his alleged accomplices, marking the dramatic end to his double life.
This case has cast a long shadow over the legal profession in Zimbabwe, raising serious questions about integrity and the potential for those sworn to uphold the law to become its most sophisticated violators. The fragility of the legal system is starkly revealed when individuals on the inside turn rogue, exploiting their knowledge and status for personal gain. The incident also brings to the forefront the broader issue of armed robberies in Zimbabwe, which have seen a concerning rise, often involving “insiders” such as security guards and police officers. The ability of Bonongwe to allegedly move through police checkpoints without suspicion, potentially carrying the proceeds of his gang’s crimes in his briefcase, further highlights the systemic challenges faced by law enforcement.
Elatone Bonongwe’s journey from a respected courtroom advocate to an alleged criminal mastermind is a sobering tale of greed and betrayal. His trial, which was adjourned to July 9 for continuation, continues to captivate the nation, serving as a stark reminder that even those entrusted with justice can succumb to the allure of a dark, double life. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the legal fraternity in Zimbabwe, prompting a critical examination of safeguards and ethical conduct within the profession. The pursuit of justice in this complex case underscores the unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one, regardless of their standing, is above the law.
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