Harare, Zimbabwe | Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader, Walter Magaya, spent Monday night behind bars after being remanded in custody until February 16 on four counts of rape. While the state prepares for a marathon four-day trial, the proceedings have already taken a familiar turn, with the defense alleging that history is repeating itself: a key accuser is reportedly seeking to drop the charges.
Magaya, represented by legal heavyweights Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza, appeared before Harare Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi. Because the charges fall under the Third Schedule of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, the magistrate had no jurisdiction to grant bail, leaving the “prophet” to seek freedom at the High Court.
A Pattern of Collapsing Cases?
The defense’s strategy on Monday highlighted a recurring theme in Magaya’s legal history. In previous years, high-profile sexual assault allegations against the preacher have frequently evaporated before reaching a verdict, often due to complainants suddenly withdrawing their statements or citing “misunderstandings.”
Defense lawyer Admire Rubaya hinted that this case might be heading down the same path. He told the court that one complainant has already written to the Prosecutor General (PG) seeking to withdraw her allegations, while another witness is reportedly in Ireland and unavailable.
“The second complainant has written to the PG withdrawing allegations,” Rubaya argued, accusing the state of a “calculated” arrest to keep Magaya in detention despite the crumbling nature of the evidence. “It’s a sad day for justice… Justice should not be sacrificed on the altar of relevance.”
The New Allegations
Despite the defense’s claims of a “setup,” the State, led by Clemence Chimbari, presented a grim outline of four separate counts involving former congregants:
| Count | Year | Allegation Summary |
| 1 | 2020 | A 24-year-old Harare woman allegedly assaulted at a hotel during church activities. |
| 2 | 2023 | A 22-year-old Chegutu woman allegedly assaulted at a hotel after being sent for prayers. |
| 3 | 2016 | A 32-year-old woman allegedly lured to a Borrowdale property under the guise of employment. |
| 4 | N/A | A 21-year-old woman allegedly assaulted in a hotel suite while assisting with church marketing. |
State Stands Firm
The prosecution dismissed the defense’s narrative that the case is a “re-run” of past failed prosecutions. Chimbari maintained that the arrest was based on “reasonable suspicion” and completed investigations, including medical examinations that the state intends to produce as evidence.
The State has promised to furnish the defense with all trial papers by February 11, setting the stage for a trial scheduled to run on a continuous roll from February 16 to 19.
For many observers, the question remains: will these four counts finally see their day in court, or will the “Magaya factor”—where accusers vanish or recant at the eleventh hour—once again derail the wheels of justice?
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