Story by Peter Chivhima
PROPHETIC Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya was arrested by police this Monday shortly after appearing at the Harare Magistrates Court on separate rape and fraud charges, deepening his legal troubles.
Magaya, who is already out on bail, was taken into custody moments after his court appearance, with police indicating that further criminal charges had been preferred against him.
The cleric is expected to return to court on March 27 for the continuation of the fraud matter, while a ruling is due on Tuesday on when the rape trial will commence.
The latest court proceedings followed a request by the State for a postponement, after it emerged that a key witness in the rape case was unable to travel to Zimbabwe in time for the hearing.
Magaya’s legal team, led by Mr Admire Rubaya, opposed the State’s application for a delay.
According to court documents, the rape allegations date back to 2013, when Magaya allegedly met the complainant, who was reportedly ill at the time, for a prayer session. The State alleges that Magaya later made sexual advances and raped the complainant after inviting her to a local hotel.
Magaya is also facing a separate rape allegation involving another woman, which reportedly occurred during a business trip to South Africa in 2018.
