Story by ZBC Reporter
PROPHETIC Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya has been remanded in custody to 18 November in a case in which he faces five counts of rape.
Magaya was arrested together with his wife, Tendai, who is facing fraud-related charges, with court proceedings still ongoing at the Harare Magistrates Court.
Meanwhile, Magaya’s security aide, Tapiwa Felix Chikondo (34), who is accused of obstructing the course of justice, has been granted US$300 bail.
According to the State, Magaya’s alleged sexual offences date back to 2013, when he met one of the complainants, who was reportedly ill at the time and sought prayers from him. It is alleged that after her recovery, Magaya began making sexual advances towards her, frequently sending her messages and making unfulfilled promises, including an offer to send her abroad for further education.
On the first count of rape, the court heard that Magaya invited the complainant to a hotel, where she allegedly found him naked before being sexually assaulted.
The court further heard that the same complainant was allegedly raped on two additional occasions.
On the second count, Magaya is accused of raping another complainant, who was 32 years old at the time, in 2018. The court was told that the PHD leader had informed the woman’s mother that he intended to take her daughter to South Africa to purchase machinery and raw materials for a business venture.
It is alleged that Magaya purchased an air ticket for the complainant under that pretext; however, the trip allegedly turned into a case of sexual abuse, with Magaya reportedly assaulting her with the assistance of his bodyguards.
The court also heard that Magaya allegedly raped the same complainant again in October 2018, after inviting her to his Marlborough offices in Harare for a supposed business meeting.
According to court documents, the complainant attempted to report the matter in 2018 at Waterfalls Police Station and Harare Central Police Station, but the reports were allegedly suppressed due to Magaya’s influence.
Magaya and his wife remain in custody, with court proceedings continuing.
