Popular hip-hop artist Ti Gonzi — real name Tinashe Gonzara — has reportedly lost US$5,000 after unknowingly purchasing a smuggled vehicle allegedly linked to a criminal syndicate operating within Prophet Walter Magaya’s PHD Ministries. The unfolding scandal has deepened the controversy surrounding the preacher’s inner circle, as one of his aides now faces serious smuggling and fraud charges.
The case came to light after Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, a personal aide to Magaya, was arrested and charged with smuggling and fraud involving the same vehicle. Chikondo, who is also jointly facing separate assault charges alongside Prophet Magaya, appeared before Harare regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo this week. He was not asked to plead and was released on US$600 bail pending trial.
According to court papers, Chikondo — employed as a security aide at Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries — is accused of smuggling a Toyota Mark X from Japan between July and August 2024. He later sold the vehicle to Ti Gonzi in what the musician believed was a legitimate purchase. The transaction reportedly took place at Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls, one of Magaya’s high-end properties.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is listed as the complainant in the case, represented by revenue supervisor Collins Ncube, while Lancelot Mutsokoti appeared for the State. Prosecutors allege that Chikondo orchestrated a fraudulent registration process to disguise the vehicle’s illegal origins.
It is alleged that Chikondo identified another Toyota Mark X, registered under a man named Dumisani Dube (registration number ABX 7852), and copied its details to create fake papers for his smuggled vehicle. Working with a clearing agent, Andrew Musoni, he allegedly forged documents through the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) to secure a counterfeit registration number, AGS 2550, under Dube’s name.
Court documents indicate that Chikondo paid Musoni US$50 for the bogus registration papers before affixing the fraudulent number plates to the smuggled car. With the forged documentation complete, he then sold the vehicle to Ti Gonzi for US$5,000.
Ti Gonzi Loses US$5,000 in Smuggled Car Scandal Linked to Magaya’s Aide
Unaware of the car’s criminal background, the award-winning rapper completed the transaction through Eastlea Car Sales, after being introduced to Chikondo by a local dealer, Jarmine Rubatika. The sale, according to sources familiar with the investigation, took place in the Yadah Hotel car park, where the vehicle was being displayed.
However, Ti Gonzi’s excitement was short-lived. On January 7, 2025, officers from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad intercepted the vehicle in Mbare, where the musician was driving it. Police reportedly informed him that the car had been illegally imported and was using fake number plates.
Investigations later revealed that the Toyota Mark X had no import records or customs clearance, resulting in an estimated US$3,389.55 loss to the tax authority in unpaid import duties. The car was subsequently impounded, leaving Ti Gonzi without both the vehicle and the US$5,000 he had paid in good faith.
“The musician purchased the car legally through a registered dealer and had no knowledge of its illicit background,” a source close to the investigation told reporters. “Unfortunately, because the vehicle was smuggled, it had to be confiscated.”
The case has drawn widespread attention due to its connection with PHD Ministries, a church already facing mounting scrutiny over its financial dealings and the conduct of its associates. Chikondo’s involvement has fueled further speculation about alleged criminal activity linked to individuals within Magaya’s network.
Chikondo is already on remand in another high-profile case, where he and Prophet Magaya are accused of assaulting a police officer earlier this year. The fresh allegations of smuggling and fraud now threaten to deepen the legal troubles facing Magaya’s inner circle and raise new questions about accountability within the ministry’s operations.
Legal experts say the case highlights the growing trend of smuggling networks exploiting religious institutions and influential figures to facilitate criminal activities. “It’s not unusual for individuals connected to powerful organizations to misuse those affiliations for personal gain,” said a Harare-based legal analyst. “If proven, this would be a classic example of abuse of trust and reputation.”
For Ti Gonzi, the ordeal has been both financially and emotionally draining. The musician, who has long been one of Zimbabwe’s most influential hip-hop voices, has reportedly vowed to take legal action to recover his money. Friends say he feels betrayed after learning that the deal was conducted within the premises of a well-known church institution.
“This is a big lesson for artists and the public,” one associate commented. “Even when a deal looks legitimate, it’s important to verify all documents through ZIMRA or the Central Vehicle Registry before finalizing a purchase.”
As the investigation continues, the spotlight remains firmly on PHD Ministries and its controversial network. With Chikondo now facing multiple criminal charges, the case has become yet another chapter in the series of scandals that have surrounded Prophet Magaya’s empire in recent years.
If convicted, Chikondo could face a lengthy prison term for fraud, smuggling, and the use of forged documents, while ZIMRA continues its push to recover lost revenue from illegally imported vehicles.
For Ti Gonzi, however, the damage has already been done — a hard-earned US$5,000 gone, and a painful reminder that even the brightest stars can fall victim to deceit in the shadows of power and influence.
Source- ZimEye
