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Fresh charges for Prophet Magaya's bodyguard
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Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, bodyguard to Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder Walter Magaya, appeared in court yesterday facing fresh charges of obstructing the course of justice. He allegedly interfered with one of Magaya's alleged rape victims and her family during police investigations.
Chikondo did not enter a plea when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo and was remanded in custody until tomorrow. He is already on remand for a separate obstruction of justice case, in which he allegedly assaulted police officers attempting to arrest Magaya at his prayer mountain in Waterfalls.
Prosecutors allege that in November, while police were investigating the rape case at ZRP Braeside, Chikondo contacted the victim and her mother, urging them not to cooperate with authorities. He reportedly handed the phone to Magaya, who also pleaded with the family not to assist police, promising to cover for the alleged offence.
Chikondo is further accused of sending US$200 to the victim's mother through an EcoCash agent, purportedly for travel to Harare to discuss settling the case. On November 29, he allegedly visited the victim's parents' home and attempted to take the father to another room, prompting the mother to remind him that interfering with police investigations was illegal. His arrest followed on December 2 after police recovered the EcoCash agent's register.
Prosecutor Tendai Shonhayi opposed bail, citing Chikondo's apparent willingness to protect Magaya at any cost. "Even though he was ordered not to interfere with witnesses as part of his bail conditions, he proceeded to do so, demonstrating that no bail condition can prevent him from obstructing justice," Shonhayi said.
Chikondo's lawyers, Everson Chatambudza and Malvern Mapako, argued that he has a clean record and should be considered for bail. "The accused has never been convicted of any offence by this court or any other competent court and cannot be deemed likely to commit similar offences," they contended.
Chikondo did not enter a plea when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo and was remanded in custody until tomorrow. He is already on remand for a separate obstruction of justice case, in which he allegedly assaulted police officers attempting to arrest Magaya at his prayer mountain in Waterfalls.
Prosecutors allege that in November, while police were investigating the rape case at ZRP Braeside, Chikondo contacted the victim and her mother, urging them not to cooperate with authorities. He reportedly handed the phone to Magaya, who also pleaded with the family not to assist police, promising to cover for the alleged offence.
Chikondo is further accused of sending US$200 to the victim's mother through an EcoCash agent, purportedly for travel to Harare to discuss settling the case. On November 29, he allegedly visited the victim's parents' home and attempted to take the father to another room, prompting the mother to remind him that interfering with police investigations was illegal. His arrest followed on December 2 after police recovered the EcoCash agent's register.
Prosecutor Tendai Shonhayi opposed bail, citing Chikondo's apparent willingness to protect Magaya at any cost. "Even though he was ordered not to interfere with witnesses as part of his bail conditions, he proceeded to do so, demonstrating that no bail condition can prevent him from obstructing justice," Shonhayi said.
Chikondo's lawyers, Everson Chatambudza and Malvern Mapako, argued that he has a clean record and should be considered for bail. "The accused has never been convicted of any offence by this court or any other competent court and cannot be deemed likely to commit similar offences," they contended.
Source - The Herald
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