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Magaya's bodyguard in court over fraudulent car deal
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Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya's bodyguard, Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, appeared in court on Thursday facing fraud charges stemming from a botched vehicle sale.
Chikondo (35), who also serves as a corporal in the Zimbabwe National Army and operates as a car dealer, was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). He appeared before Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo and was released on US$600 bail.
Earlier this week, Chikondo had appeared in court on separate allegations of assaulting police officers during Magaya's recent arrest. He is represented by Malvern Mapako of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners.
In the latest case, Chikondo faces two counts of fraud involving the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and local hip-hop artist Tinashe Gonzara, popularly known as T-Gonzi.
According to the State, between July and August 2024, Chikondo allegedly smuggled an ex-Japanese Toyota Mark X sedan, which he kept at Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls, Harare. He reportedly identified another vehicle of the same make and model - a Toyota Mark X, registration ABX 7852, registered in the name of Dumisani Dube - and fraudulently sought clearance from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad to change its number plates.
He then enlisted the services of a clearance agent, Andrew Musoni, who processed the paperwork at the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), resulting in the issuance of new number plates AGS 2550 under Dube's name.
After receiving the plates, Chikondo allegedly affixed them to the smuggled Toyota Mark X and sold the vehicle to T-Gonzi.
However, on January 7, 2025, detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad impounded the vehicle in Mbare, exposing the fraud.
Zimra claims it suffered a financial loss of US$3 389.55 in unpaid import duty, while T-Gonzi says he was defrauded of US$5 000, which has not been recovered.
The case adds to the growing list of criminal allegations involving individuals linked to high-profile religious figures. Chikondo is expected to return to court as investigations continue.
Chikondo (35), who also serves as a corporal in the Zimbabwe National Army and operates as a car dealer, was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). He appeared before Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo and was released on US$600 bail.
Earlier this week, Chikondo had appeared in court on separate allegations of assaulting police officers during Magaya's recent arrest. He is represented by Malvern Mapako of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners.
In the latest case, Chikondo faces two counts of fraud involving the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and local hip-hop artist Tinashe Gonzara, popularly known as T-Gonzi.
According to the State, between July and August 2024, Chikondo allegedly smuggled an ex-Japanese Toyota Mark X sedan, which he kept at Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls, Harare. He reportedly identified another vehicle of the same make and model - a Toyota Mark X, registration ABX 7852, registered in the name of Dumisani Dube - and fraudulently sought clearance from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad to change its number plates.
He then enlisted the services of a clearance agent, Andrew Musoni, who processed the paperwork at the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), resulting in the issuance of new number plates AGS 2550 under Dube's name.
After receiving the plates, Chikondo allegedly affixed them to the smuggled Toyota Mark X and sold the vehicle to T-Gonzi.
However, on January 7, 2025, detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad impounded the vehicle in Mbare, exposing the fraud.
Zimra claims it suffered a financial loss of US$3 389.55 in unpaid import duty, while T-Gonzi says he was defrauded of US$5 000, which has not been recovered.
The case adds to the growing list of criminal allegations involving individuals linked to high-profile religious figures. Chikondo is expected to return to court as investigations continue.
Source - NewsDay
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