Bodyguard of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Founder Faces New Charges
Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, a bodyguard for Walter Magaya, appeared in court yesterday. He faces new charges of obstructing justice. He is accused of interfering with one of the alleged victims of Magaya’s sexual assault during a police investigation.
Chikondo did not enter a plea when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms. Ruth Moyo. He was ordered to stay in custody until today.
He is already in custody for another case, where prosecutors accuse him of assaulting police officers who were trying to arrest Magaya at his prayer location in Waterfalls.
Prosecutors say that in November, while the police were investigating the rape case, Chikondo allegedly contacted the victim. He tried to discourage her and her mother from cooperating with law enforcement.
He reportedly gave the phone to Magaya, who also asked the family not to assist police, promising to take care of the matter.
Prosecutors accuse Chikondo of sending $200 to the victim’s mother through an EcoCash agent, supposedly for travel to Harare to discuss settling the case.
According to the Herald, on November 29, he allegedly tried to take the victim’s father to another room during a visit to their home, which led the mother to remind him that interfering with police was against the law. His arrest occurred on December 2 after police found records from the EcoCash agent.
Prosecutor Tendai Shonhayi argued against granting bail, highlighting Chikondo’s apparent determination to protect Magaya. “Even after being told not to interfere with witnesses, he chose to do so, showing that bail conditions cannot stop him from obstructing justice,” Shonhayi said.
Chikondo’s lawyers, Everson Chatambudza and Malvern Mapako, countered that he has a clean record and should be eligible for bail. “The accused has never been convicted of any crime and should not be considered a risk to commit similar offenses,” they argued.
