Harare – A tumultuous week for Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya has seen his bodyguard, a serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army, hauled before the courts for allegedly assaulting police officers. The incident occurred as law enforcement officials attempted to execute a warrant for Magaya’s arrest at his Waterfalls prayer mountain. This comes amid fraud and rape allegations levelled against the controversial preacher, with the State accusing him of attempting to fraudulently sell land belonging to former Reserve Bank Governor, Gideon Gono.
Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, 34, the soldier in question, appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, facing charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, and alternatively, assaulting or resisting a peace officer under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Notably, Chikondo arrived at court handcuffed to Magaya himself, who was making his own separate court appearances on charges of rape and fraud.
Mashizha’s report detailed Chikondo’s aggressive behaviour: “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.”
The police further allege that Chikondo has a history of violent conduct and has been implicated in other alleged assaults involving Magaya’s aides.
In his defence, Chikondo’s lawyer, Stephen Chikotora, argued that his client was being made a scapegoat in a broader investigation targeting Magaya. “The accused was merely at the boom gate when detectives went to arrest Prophet Magaya,” Chikotora told the court. “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 further claimed that Chikondo’s cellphones were confiscated, and he was denied access to his lawyers immediately after his arrest. He emphasised that Chikondo owns a house in Harare, lives with his wife and children, and is a serving member of the army, arguing that these factors demonstrate he is not a flight risk.
However, Prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti opposed bail, arguing that Chikondo has “a propensity to commit violent offences” and is likely to abscond. “The accused has another pending case at Waterfalls Police Station involving defeating the course of justice,” Mutsokoti stated. “That record alone shows a pattern. Even if he surrenders his passport, it’s no guarantee he won’t leave by other means.” Magistrate Gofa has adjourned the matter until Tuesday for a bail ruling.
The State alleges that Magaya, along with his wife Tendai Magaya, and their companies – Planet Africa (Pvt) Ltd and Yadah Connect, represented by Tatenda Chinguwo – devised a scheme to defraud PHD Ministries congregants and other members of the public. Prosecutors claim they misrepresented that they had acquired land in various locations, including Chishawasha, Norton, Westgate, Fern Valley Mutare, Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Arcturus, Ruwa, Manyame, and Nyatsime, for housing projects, farming, beekeeping, and mining.
Specifically, the prosecution alleges that in 2016, Magaya told his congregants that God had instructed him to acquire land to assist church members and others to build houses, with Planet Africa and Yadah Connect administering the project. Members were allegedly told to buy stands from Planet Africa through monthly contributions, with Yadah Connect responsible for building the houses.
Prosecutors claim that Magaya distributed pamphlets with pictures of land purported to have been acquired for the stands and houses. Feddie Manyange, Martha Dongo, Rumbidzai Dukwara, Percy Makawonesu, Tambudzai Matara, Theresa Nyanhongo, Ollitah Katsvere, Jane Nyanhongo, Asmin Karongonda and Saul Matsamba allegedly paid a total of US$49,000 and R195,000 to the two companies towards the stands and projects.
The State further alleges that Magaya and his accomplices signed memorandums of understanding with the complainants, who believed that Planet Africa had been allocated land by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
A particularly damning allegation involves Magaya’s alleged attempt to sell land belonging to former Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono. The prosecution claims that the Magayas approached Dr Gono seeking a farming contract at New Donnington Farm, which he owns. Dr Gono agreed to provide them with land for farming for one season only.
Magaya then allegedly gathered congregants who had paid for the stands, including the complainants, and took them to New Donnington Farm in Norton. He allegedly misrepresented that he was the owner of the farm and that it was ready for the allocation of residential stands. The State claims that Tendai Magaya was present and did not disclose that the land belonged to Dr Gono, despite being part of the team that negotiated the farming contract.
The complainants later discovered that the farm belonged to Dr Gono and was not for sale, prompting them to file reports with the police.
During his court appearance, Magaya, along with his wife, argued through their lawyers Admire Rubaya, Advocate Sylvester Hashiti and Everson Chatambudza, that their detention beyond the 48-hour legal limit was unlawful. They stated that Magaya was arrested at 5am on Saturday at his prayer mountain, while his wife was arrested thirty minutes later at the couple’s Yadah Hotel. They argued that they should have been released by 5am on Monday and urged Magistrate Gofa to release them unconditionally.
Prosecutor Clement Chimbare opposed the application, arguing that the constitution provides remedies for alleged rights violations. “The law allows accused persons to approach the Constitutional Court for damages or compensation whenever they feel that their rights have been violated,” Chimbare argued. “The law doesn’t state that upon infringement the accused persons will be absolved of all wrong doing. The circumstances of this case don’t allow their immediate and unconditional release because criminal charges still have to be pursued.”
The rape case against Magaya is set to be heard in camera, with journalists ordered out of the courtroom. The outcome of Magaya’s bail application, and the unfolding fraud and rape allegations, remain keenly anticipated.
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