Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Walter Magaya’s bodyguard, Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, returned to court yesterday facing fresh charges of obstructing the course of justice, amid allegations that he interfered with one of Magaya’s alleged rape victims and her family.
Chikondo appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo, who remanded him in custody until tomorrow. He did not enter a plea. The latest charge comes while he is already on remand for a separate obstruction case, in which he allegedly assaulted police officers who attempted to arrest Magaya at his Waterfalls prayer mountain.
According to prosecutors, police at ZRP Braeside launched a rape investigation against Magaya in November. During this process, Chikondo allegedly discovered that officers were probing the matter. Acting in his capacity as Magaya’s bodyguard, he reportedly contacted the victim and later spoke to her mother, urging both of them not to cooperate with police.
It is alleged that after speaking to the mother, Chikondo handed the phone to Magaya, who also pleaded with her not to assist investigators, assuring her that he would “cover for the alleged offence.”
Prosecutors further claim Chikondo sent US$200 to the victim’s mother via an EcoCash agent, saying it was bus fare to travel to Harare to discuss an out-of-court settlement. On November 29, he allegedly travelled to the victim’s parents’ home, claiming he wished to resolve issues linked to the rape complaint. However, the family informed him that the matter was now in police hands.
The State says Chikondo attempted to speak privately with the victim’s father, prompting the mother to intervene and warn that interfering with an active police investigation was unlawful. Police later recovered the EcoCash agent’s register on December 1, leading to Chikondo’s arrest the following day.
Prosecutor Tendai Shonhayi opposed bail, arguing that Chikondo had already violated earlier conditions prohibiting contact with witnesses. “Even though he was ordered not to interfere with witnesses, he proceeded to do so, demonstrating that no bail condition can prevent him from obstructing justice,” Shonhayi said.
However, Chikondo’s lawyers, Everson Chatambudza and Malvern Mapako, insisted their client deserves bail, noting that he has never been convicted of any offence. “Under the law, he has a clean record and cannot be deemed likely to commit similar offences,” Chatambudza said, urging the court to grant him release pending trial.
