Chitungwiza residents have scored a legal victory against controversial church leader Walter Magaya after the High Court issued an interdict halting his unauthorised development projects in the city.
Justice Rodgers Foroma Manyangadze delivered the ruling on Tuesday following an application by the Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST), which had challenged Magaya’s company, Wistmer Investments (Pvt) Ltd, for pushing forward with a 10-year “smart and green city” project without obtaining municipal approval.
Magaya, the leader of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD), was accused of sidestepping Chitungwiza Municipality and relying instead on direct authorisation from the central government to proceed with his project.
CHITREST, however, argued that the developments were being done illegally without following proper urban planning regulations. The High Court’s decision means that Wistmer Investments cannot proceed with any development in Chitungwiza unless it complies with legal procedures.
Read: Andy Muridzo Opens Up on Split with Mai Keketso – “Akadyiwa naManager Wangu”
CHITREST lawyer Innocent Simba Nderere, from Scanlen and Holderness Legal Practitioners, confirmed the ruling.
“The interdict has been granted. Magaya and his company have been barred from carrying out any development in Chitungwiza unless they obtain proper approval and follow the legal process,” he said.
CHITREST director Alice Kuvheya welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory for residents.
“We were worried about the delays in the case, but now that the court has ruled in our favour, we are satisfied,” she said.
The case, filed in June last year, faced delays that raised suspicions of interference, with some suspecting that Magaya may have influenced court officials to stall proceedings.
On January 13, 2025, CHITREST’s legal team, led by Nderere, formally wrote to the High Court registrar, Joseph Mundondo, complaining about the case’s slow progress. Under pressure, Mundondo scheduled the hearing for February 5.
The court application revealed that despite the Chitungwiza Municipality rejecting Wistmer Investments’ master plan in April last year, the company continued pushing forward with its projects. All 33 councillors opposed the plan, arguing that the terms of the agreement were unfavourable to the town.
Additionally, Kuvheya’s affidavit accused Wistmer Investments of illegally initiating an aquifer project in Jonasi Village, Seke, without municipal approval.
This court ruling adds to Magaya’s ongoing legal battles, as he is also facing fraud allegations in Bulawayo related to a failed residential stands project.
In 2016, Magaya’s company, Planet Africa, launched a housing scheme at Danglasedale farm on the outskirts of Bulawayo, where congregants and church members paid US$4,000 per stand. The scheme promised constructed homes with buyers making monthly mortgage payments. However, to date, no houses have been built.
Financial records obtained by News Hub show that payments were made to both Planet Africa and PHD Ministries, raising concerns over the accountability of funds.
Recently, Magaya was disqualified from contesting for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) presidency for failing to provide an Ordinary Level certificate as required.
His appeal to the High Court was dismissed, further damaging his credibility. Investigations led by UK-based journalist Maynard Manyowa later exposed that Magaya had falsely claimed to hold a marketing diploma and an honorary doctorate.
Following these revelations, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has launched investigations into fraud allegations against Magaya.
This latest court defeat in Chitungwiza is yet another blow to the embattled church leader’s reputation and business dealings.
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606.