Legal Proceedings Against Tapiwa Felix Chikondo
Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, a bodyguard of Walter Magaya, the leader of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD), has appeared in court to face charges of fraud. The incident stems from a failed car deal that led to legal consequences for Chikondo.
Chikondo, who is 35 years old, was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and appeared before Harare magistrate Francis Mapfumo. He was remanded out of custody on a bail of US$600. This is not the first time Chikondo has faced legal scrutiny. Earlier this week, he appeared in court on allegations of assaulting police officers during the arrest of Magaya.
Chikondo is represented by Malvern Mapako of Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal practitioners. He faces two counts of fraud, with the complainants being the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and local hip-hop artiste Tinashe Gonzara, known as T-Gonzi.
Background and Allegations
Chikondo is a corporal in the Zimbabwe National Army, a car dealer, and a security aide with PHD Ministries in Harare. According to the allegations, during the period from July 2024 to August 2024, Chikondo allegedly smuggled an ex-Japanese vehicle, a Toyota Mark X sedan. He secured the motor vehicle at the Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls, Harare.
It is alleged that while the vehicle was secured at the mentioned location, Chikondo identified a similar Toyota Mark X, with registration number ABX 7852, registered under the name of Dumisani Dube. He then applied for and received clearance from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad to change the number plates. Subsequently, he engaged a motor vehicle clearance agent, Andrew Musoni, who submitted the documents to the Central Vehicle Registry for processing and the issuance of new number plates.
The Fraudulent Transaction
According to the allegations, after obtaining the new set of motor vehicle registration number plates, AGS 2550 in the name of Dumisani Dube, Andrew Musoni provided them to Chikondo. Chikondo then affixed the new number plates to the smuggled Toyota Mark X and sold it to T-Gonzi.
On January 7, 2025, the car was seized and impounded in Mbare by detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad in Harare. The smuggled vehicle is currently held by the tax agency, which claims it caused an actual prejudice of US$3,389.55 in unpaid import duty. T-Gonzi also alleges that he suffered an actual prejudice of US$5,000, which remains unrecovered.
Ongoing Investigations
The case is still under investigation, with both Zimra and T-Gonzi seeking justice for the financial losses incurred. The legal proceedings against Chikondo highlight the complexities of vehicle smuggling and fraud within the country’s legal framework.
As the case progresses, further details may emerge regarding the extent of the fraud and the involvement of other parties. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the individuals involved and the broader community.