Walter Magaya remanded ahead of February trial on four rape counts

PHD Ministries founder Walter Magaya has been remanded in custody ahead of a 16–19 February trial in Harare on four rape charges involving alleged incidents between 2016 and 2023 (image source)

HARARE — Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Walter Magaya was remanded in custody on Monday and will remain detained until 16 February, when he is scheduled to stand trial on four counts of rape. The trial is set to run on a continuous roll from 16 to 19 February before Harare magistrate Letwin Rwodzi.

Magaya did not oppose being remanded. The State resisted bail, arguing the charges fall under the Third Schedule of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which requires bail applications for such offences to be handled by the High Court. Prosecutor Clemence Chimbari, assisted by Tendai Shonhai, told the court that the prosecution will provide trial papers to the defence by 11 February.

Magaya is represented by lawyers Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza. Rubaya indicated the defence would approach the High Court for bail “as soon as possible.” He also raised procedural complaints regarding the arrest, alleging that witnesses were not made available and suggesting the re-arrest was designed to keep his client in custody. Prosecutors rejected those claims, saying the arrest followed the completion of investigations and was based on reasonable suspicion.

(image source)

The State says there are four complainants, all alleged to have been congregants of Magaya, with accusations spanning 2016 to 2023 under differing circumstances.

• Count One: A 24-year-old Harare woman allegedly invited to church-related activities in July 2020 was later sexually assaulted at a hotel. She reportedly disclosed the incident to a family member and later reported it to police.

• Count Two: A 22-year-old woman from Chegutu allegedly travelled to Harare for prayers in 2023, was accommodated at a hotel and sexually assaulted. A medical examination was reportedly conducted.

• Count Three: A 32-year-old Harare woman, said to have known Magaya as her pastor, allegedly accepted an employment-related offer in 2016 and was lured to a Borrowdale property where she was sexually assaulted. Medical evidence is expected.

• Count Four: A 21-year-old woman from Chegutu who assisted with marketing a church book allegedly met Magaya at a hotel suite and was sexually assaulted. She reportedly informed relatives and later police, and underwent medical examination.

The State maintains the encounters were non-consensual and that Magaya had no right to sexual intercourse with the complainants without consent. Prosecutors say medical and other supporting evidence will be presented during trial proceedings.

Magaya remains in custody pending a High Court bail application and the scheduled trial dates.