Magama was involved in killings and torture during the Gukurahundi genocide and, in 1984, was responsible for the assassination of Zimbabwe African People's Union politician Njini Ntuta.
[3] In the first years of black-majority rule, following the end of the Rhodesian Bush War and the Lancaster House Accords Magama was a member of the Military Intelligence Directorate, based in Bulawayo.
He became involved in killings and torture during the Gukurahundi genocide against Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) supporters and anti-government dissidents, often being present during questioning sessions.
[5][4] In January 1986 Magama took over command of the ZNA troops fighting in support of FRELIMO in the Mozambican Civil War; though he had little military experience he was politically well connected.
[6][7] The ZNA intervention had initially been successful but the troops and their FRELIMO allies began to suffer renewed attacks from RENAMO.