Magaya’s Bodyguard Granted US$300 Bail

A security aide to Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder, Walter Magaya, has been granted US$300 bail after being charged with obstructing the course of justice.

Tapiwa Felix Chikondo (34), a serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on Tuesday, 4 November.

The court granted him bail on condition that he does not interfere with witnesses, resides at his stated address, and surrenders his passport to the Clerk of Court.

Chikondo, represented by lawyers Stephen Chikotora and Malvern Mapako, is accused of obstructing Magaya’s arrest at his Waterfalls prayer mountain on Saturday.

The case has been set for trial on 20 November.

Chikondo allegedly attacked Detective Assistant Inspector Munyaradzi Chifamba when police went to execute a warrant on Magaya on 1 November.

According to CID Commercial Crimes Division Officer-in-Charge Washington Mashizha, Chikondo drove up in a sky-blue Nissan Dayz, blocked the officers’ vehicle, and angrily demanded to know why they were there. Said Mashizha in his report:

“He shouted that we had no permission to be where we were since the place was his.

“He then charged towards Detective Assistant Inspector Chifamba and pushed him to the ground before we managed to restrain and handcuff him.”

Police say Chikondo acted violently and has previously been linked to other alleged assaults involving Magaya’s aides.

But Chikotora insisted that Chikondo is being made a scapegoat in a wider investigation targeting Magaya.

Chikotora added that Chikondo was simply at the boom gate when detectives came to arrest the preacher. Said Chikotora:

“He never interfered with the arrest and was not even aware of what was happening up the mountain. The state is trading on speculation.

“This is not a serious offence — even on conviction, the maximum sentence is one year.”

Chikotora told the court that Chikondo’s cellphones were confiscated and he was denied access to his lawyers shortly after his arrest.

He also pointed out that Chikondo owns a house in Harare, lives with his wife and children, and is a serving army member — all signs that he’s not a flight risk.

Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti had opposed bail, arguing that Chikondo has a tendency to commit violent offences and might try to flee.

Mutsokoti said Chikondo also has another pending case at Waterfalls Police Station for obstructing justice.

He added that Chikondo’s record shows a pattern of behaviour, and even if he hands over his passport, there’s no guarantee he won’t leave by other means.