Magaya’s Bodyguard Arrested for Allegedly Trying to Silence Rape Witnesses

Prophet Walter Magaya’s bodyguard has been thrown into the spotlight and into custody after he allegedly tried to interfere with witnesses in a rape case involving the prominent church leader.

Tapiwa Felix Chikondo (35), a long-serving member of Magaya’s security team, was remanded in custody after the State accused him of attempting to influence key witnesses in the ongoing investigation.

Prosecutors allege that once the rape complaint against Magaya surfaced, Chikondo moved quickly to contain the situation. Investigators say he traced the complainant’s family and tried to persuade them to abandon cooperation with law-enforcement authorities.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Chikondo contacted the complainant’s mother, discouraged her from assisting police, and even facilitated communication between her and the church leader at the centre of the allegations.

What raised further alarm, the NPA claims, was a US$200 EcoCash transfer that Chikondo allegedly sent to the mother, money investigators believe was intended to sway the direction of the case under the guise of “transport to Harare to resolve the issue.”

The situation escalated on 28 November 2025 when Chikondo reportedly visited the complainant’s home and was warned to stop interfering with the investigation. Despite the warning, detectives say evidence had already been gathered.

An EcoCash agent register recovered on 1 December allegedly confirmed the transaction, leading to Chikondo’s arrest the following day.

He has since appeared in court, where prosecutors argued that his actions amounted to a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice. The magistrate denied him immediate release, postponing the matter to 5 December, when a ruling on bail is expected.

In a strong message, the NPA reminded the public that no individual, regardless of their position or the influence of their employer, is permitted to tamper with witnesses or disrupt police investigations. Such actions, they warned, will be met with firm legal consequences.

As the rape allegations against the high-profile church leader continue to unfold, Chikondo now faces his own legal troubles, forming a dramatic new twist in one of the most closely watched cases of the year.