Prophet Walter Magaya’s Bodyguard Arrested Over Secret US$200 EcoCash Payment To Witness

Magaya Bodyguard Arrested Over Secret US$200 Payment To Witness

The bodyguard and security aide to prominent preacher Prophet Walter Magaya has been arrested and taken into custody after he allegedly sent a secret US$200 payment to the mother of a woman involved in a rape case against the prophet. This arrest comes just weeks after police publicly warned that supporters of the PHD Ministries leader were actively raising a substantial war chest of US$200,000 to interfere with the justice system. The bodyguard, Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, is now accused of trying to obstruct the course of justice in the ongoing investigation.

Chikondo, a 35-year-old soldier, appeared in court on 2 December 2025. He was remanded in custody, with a bail ruling set for 5 December 2025. According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA), the arrest followed police investigations into a rape complaint reported against the church leader.

This development follows an explosive official police press release issued on 15 November 2025, which asserted that a coordinated syndicate was working to derail the cases against Magaya by raising a US$200,000 (approx. R3.6 million) fund to bribe police, prosecutors, and judges.

Bodyguard Allegedly Interfered With Witness

The NPA stated that during the investigation, Chikondo allegedly contacted the complainant’s mother in November 2025. He is accused of discouraging her from cooperating with law enforcement and of facilitating communication between her and the cleric.

Crucially, he allegedly sent US$200 (approx. R3,600) via EcoCash to the woman. The NPA bulletin detailed the alleged purpose of the payment, stating the money was purportedly for transport to Harare to “settle” the matter.

On 28 November 2025, the accused visited the complainant’s home to discuss the case, where he was cautioned that interfering with a police investigation is unlawful. The transaction was later traced through an EcoCash agent’s register recovered by police on 1 December 2025, which linked Chikondo to the payment. This alleged attempt to influence a witness emerges directly in the shadow of the police’s earlier claim of a massive, coordinated bribery scheme.

A Spokesperson For The State Issued A Stern Warning

In a statement released with the bulletin, the prosecuting authority emphasised the seriousness of the allegations. It declared:

“No individual, regardless of social standing or affiliation, is permitted to obstruct police investigations. Attempts to influence witnesses or derail due process are serious offences, and the State will act decisively to protect the administration of justice.”

This statement echoes the stern tone of the police warning from mid-November, which detailed the alleged US$200,000 bribery fund.

Legal Troubles Mount For Magaya And His Aide

This arrest is the latest in a series of legal challenges for both Magaya and his bodyguard. Chikondo was in court just weeks prior, on 6 November 2025, facing separate fraud charges for allegedly selling a smuggled Toyota Mark X to hip-hop star Ti Gonzi for US$5,000 (approx. R90,000). He was granted bail of US$600 (approx. R10,800) in that case.

Meanwhile, Prophet Magaya himself faces separate and ongoing rape allegations, in addition to fraud charges alongside his wife, Tendai. Appearing in court on 18 November 2025 for the fraud case, Magaya’s lawyer, Admire Rubaya, directly addressed the police’s bribery allegation, calling it part of “megaphone investigations.” Rubaya told the court:

“The police allegedly said there is a fund of US$200,000 but instead of arresting, they tend to post statements on social media. There is no need for megaphone investigations.”

The fraud case was postponed to 9 December 2025. The arrest of Magaya’s bodyguard for an alleged US$200 payment now adds a tangible, specific charge to the broader and explosive allegations of systemic interference made by the police just weeks ago.