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Crime and Courts

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

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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.

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Crime and Courts

GOKWE MAN SENTENCED 15 YEARS FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE

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Photo Credit: Internet

​A 35-year-old man from Village Zebediah under Chief Njelele has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the attempted rape of a minor.

The Gokwe Regional Magistrates’ Court convicted Kupakwashe Hore following an incident that occurred earlier this month.

​The court heard that on April 5, 2026, at approximately 09:00 hours, Hore arrived at a local homestead and took the complainant away to a nearby field. The victim is a young girl aged between four and five years.

​While in the field, the offender undressed the child and lowered his own trousers. A local villager arrived at the scene just in time to intervene, pushing Hore away and rescuing the girl.

The witness then took the child back to her mother.

​A formal report was promptly filed at ZRP Gokwe. The victim was subsequently referred to Gokwe Hospital for a medical examination to assess any harm.

​In a statement following the sentencing, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) emphasized the importance of the ruling.

“The conviction and sentence reflect the gravity of sexual violence and the commitment of the NPAZ to ensure that those who act unlawfully face the full might of the law,” the authority stated.

​The NPAZ further noted that the safety and dignity of children within Zimbabwean communities remain paramount to the justice system.

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Crime and Courts

Top SA Police Chief Faces R5 Million Bribery Allegation

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South Africa’s National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has been accused of receiving a R5 million bribe from businessman and football administrator Bobby Motaung.

The allegations were made on Sunday by suspended Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Daphney Manamela during a media briefing held in Mbombela.

Manamela alleged that the payment reportedly shared with Major General Botsotso Moukangwe was intended to block her return to office and halt the reopening of fraud and corruption investigations linked to Motaung.

The cases relate to a controversial tender involving the construction of Mbombela Stadium.

She further linked the matter to the 2010 killing of whistleblower Jimmy Mohlala, who had exposed alleged irregularities in the stadium project.

According to Manamela, purported confessions from Moukangwe support her claims.

Responding to the allegations, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe described them as serious and confirmed that they will be subjected to formal investigation.

As of now, neither Masemola nor Motaung has issued a public response. The claims have raised fresh concerns about accountability and integrity within the South African Police Service.

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Crime and Courts

Manhunt Launched After Triple Shooting in Chimanimani

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Chipinge – Police are searching for a 30-year-old suspect who fled after allegedly shooting three people in Chimanimani, triggering a nationwide appeal for information.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police identified the suspect as Francis Makuma Magirayano, who is wanted in connection with an attempted murder case linked to an incident that occurred on April 18, 2026. Authorities believe he had recently returned from South Africa.

It is alleged that Magirayano, who was driving a silver Toyota Fortuner (registration number JV 70 SM GP), opened fire following a dispute with his wife, 26-year-old Mercyline Mahembe. He reportedly shot her several times, injuring her cheek, hand, and thigh.

The suspect is also accused of shooting his sister-in-law in the leg and a shopkeeper at Kopa Business Centre during the same incident.

All three victims were rushed to hospital in Chipinge, where they are still receiving treatment.

Police say the suspect remains at large and are urging members of the public with any information on his whereabouts to contact the ZRP National Complaints Desk or report to the nearest police station.

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