Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
HARARE – Harare provincial magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on Wednesday acquitted Tapiwa Fellix Chikondo, a bodyguard for prominent preacher Walter Magaya, on charges of obstructing the course of justice.
Chikondo had faced allegations of attempting to interfere with witnesses connected to ongoing investigations into separate rape cases involving Magaya. He was cleared following a full trial.
Prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had argued that in November 2025, Chikondo contacted the mother of a complainant in an effort to discourage her from cooperating with police. He was also accused of facilitating communication between the woman and Magaya.
The State alleged that Chikondo sent US$200 via EcoCash to the complainant’s mother, purportedly for transport costs to travel to Harare to “settle” the matter. An agent’s register recovered by police on December 1, 2025, was presented as evidence linking him to the transaction.
The court heard that on November 28, 2025, Chikondo visited the complainant’s home to discuss the case, where he was cautioned by individuals present that interfering with a police investigation was a criminal offence. He was arrested on December 2.
Despite the State’s submissions, the Magistrate found that the evidence presented was insufficient to secure a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt.
No detailed reasoning from the bench was immediately available.
The acquittal leaves the core investigations into the separate allegations against Magaya unaffected. The preacher’s legal representatives have previously denied all allegations on his behalf.
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