Magaya bodyguard ‘scams’ Ti Gonzi of US$5k … musician sold stolen vehicle

HARARE – Musician Ti Gonzi is on the warpath against Prophet Walter Magaya, after one of the PHD Ministries founder’s bodyguards allegedly sold him a car that has since been confiscated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS).

The vehicle, allegedly sold to the musician by one of Magaya’s bodyguards, known only as Tapiwa, is believed to have either been stolen or smuggled.

In an interview with socialite Tatelicious, Ti Gonzi, real Tinashe Gonzara, narrated how he had been told to approach one of Magaya’s bodyguards as he searched for a new vehicle. The transaction for the vehicle, a Toyota MarkX, was eventually concluded at Magaya’s hotel.

“I only make money off music and that’s my only business. I make money from royalties, YouTube and live shows so I was struggling with my car which had been giving me problems for a while and that’s why I decided to buy a new car.

“I live in Eastlea and someone told me that in Prospect, Prophet Magaya’s bodyguard was selling a car.

“We went to see the guy called Tapiwa at Magaya’s hotel and when we got there, there were delays because we were told that he was about to leave with the prophet. He eventually referred us to another guy who handled the transaction on his behalf,” he said.

Ti Gonzi said soon after he bought the vehicle, he found himself under intense scrutiny by the VTS. They eventually seized the vehicle from him recently.

“Within a week after I had brought the car, I started getting nagged by guys that claimed they were from VTS who said that this car was not registered in law.

“So, I started looking for Tapiwa again and he referred me to another cop from Chitungwiza who could talk to the VTS guys. From then onwards I told Tapiwa that I want my money back because I had been told that it is a car that could get me in trouble,” he said.

After failing to come to an amicable agreement with the bodyguard, Ti Gonzi said he had approached Magaya, who seemed to have some knowledge of the car deals that were taking place in his building.

This was after the police had told the musician that his car was hot property that could possibly lead to some legal trouble.

“The police told me that the car was either stolen or had been smuggled. The police said the car needed to be taken back to its rightful owner,” he said.

Ti Gonzi said despite many arranged meetings, the Man of God also seemed to be giving him the runaround.

“I waited for him at the hotel up to 10pm. The guards at the gate were not friendly which I could understand. When the prophet arrived I was taken inside the building.

“I had gone with some of my friends but when the time came for me to see Magaya, they were told to stay behind. I was then taken to two of his assistants who claimed that I was late and could not see the prophet.

“They gave me US$30 and told me to come back the next day. The next day I waited from 4pm to 10pm and no one came,” he said.