Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, the bodyguard of PHD founder Walter Magaya, had his fresh bail application denied on Tuesday.
Chikondo is charged with obstruction of justice. Presiding magistrate, Ms Ruth Moyo, ruled that there were no changed circumstances warranting his release pending trial.
Chikondo is accused of interfering with one of Magaya’s alleged rape victims and her family. In his bail application, he argued that his previous acquittal on similar charges made him a suitable candidate for bail.
In that prior case, he had been accused of assaulting police officers in an attempt to prevent Magaya’s arrest at his prayer mountain in Waterfalls.
The current charges stem from investigations initiated in November last year regarding a rape allegation against Magaya at Braeside Police Station.
During the investigations, Chikondo reportedly discovered the police’s interest in the case and allegedly contacted the victim, who then handed her phone to her mother and pleaded with her not to cooperate with the police.
He further allegedly relayed a message from Prophet Magaya, who implored the mother not to assist the authorities and promised compensation for the alleged offence.
Chikondo is also accused of sending US$200 to the victim’s mother via an Ecocash agent, claiming it was for bus fare to Harare to discuss settling the case.
