Published: 10 hours ago

A Zimbabwe National Army soldier who serves as Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya's bodyguard has appeared in court accused of assaulting police officers who were executing a warrant of arrest against the preacher at his Waterfalls prayer mountain last week.

The accused, Tapiwa Felix Chikondo (34), appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa facing charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice and, alternatively, assaulting or resisting a peace officer as defined under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Chikondo, who was handcuffed to Magaya upon arrival at court, appeared shortly after the preacher's own appearances on rape and fraud charges.

According to the State, on November 1, police detectives arrived at Magaya's Waterfalls prayer mountain to execute a warrant of arrest related to ongoing fraud and rape investigations. Chikondo allegedly confronted the officers, blocked their vehicle, and assaulted one of them.

In a report filed by Officer-in-Charge Washington Mashizha of the CID Commercial Crimes Division, Chikondo allegedly drove up in a sky-blue Nissan Dayz, "furiously demanding to know why the officers were there."

"He shouted that we had no permission to be where we were since the place was his," Mashizha said in his statement. "He then charged towards Detective Assistant Inspector Munyaradzi Chifamba and pushed him to the ground before we managed to restrain and handcuff him."

The police allege Chikondo has previously been linked to other incidents involving violent confrontations with law enforcement during operations involving Magaya's aides.

Chikondo's lawyer, Mr Stephen Chikotora, however, dismissed the allegations as baseless, arguing that his client was being used as "a scapegoat" in a wider 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."

The defence lawyer also protested that Chikondo's cellphones had been confiscated and that he was denied access to legal counsel immediately after his arrest. He argued that the soldier was not a flight risk, citing that he owned a house in Harare, lived with his wife and children, and was a serving member of the army.

However, prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti opposed bail, insisting that the accused had "a propensity for violence" and might abscond if released.

"The accused has another pending case at Waterfalls Police Station involving defeating the course of justice," Mutsokoti said. "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 postponed the matter to 8:30AM on Tuesday for a bail ruling.
- ZimLive

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