Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) leader Prophet Walter Magaya is apparently entangled in a long-running wage dispute with park keepers at his former Shamva gold mine in Umfurudzi Game Park, according to Nehanda Radio.
Magaya hired park rangers to watch his excavator while mining in Umfurudzi Game Park in 2021 through his firm Wistmeer.
The priest apparently left without paying the security guards after finishing his job there.
According to sources close to Nehanda Radio, the prophet has ignored the rangers’ requests for compensation for the previous two years.
According to official papers, the corporation was required to pay $3 700 in security services in 2021, but it did not.
A letter dated 31 October 2022 by the parks to Wistmer Investments shows that communication existed between the rangers and the company with the former demanding their compensation.
But Magaya has reportedly been evasive.
“The above subject matter refers. As per our telephone conversation on 29th and 30th October 2022 concerning the payment of outstanding arrears amounting to US$3 761.85 for services rendered by Umfurudzi Park in February 2021, please here is the written confirmation of the amount due.
“I hope the amount will be honored in due course as per your commitment,” read the letter by Mhiripiri S, a Senior Area Manager at Umfurudzi Park.
This is not the first time Magaya is accused of neglecting workers.
In August last year, disgruntled workers from the same mine descended on Yadah Hotel demanding an audience with the popular prophet who owed them three months’ pay.
The situation at the lucrative gold mine had prompted employees to stage industrial action over unpaid and low salaries. But the clergyman allegedly turned a blind eye on his employees’ dire welfare.
He actually fired those that kept on protesting, breaching the Labour Act that states that ‘all employees, workers committees and trade unions shall have the right to resort to collective job action for the redress of lawful grievances’.
In 2018, Magaya divided opinion among labour experts by paying those who volunteer their services to the church in the form of “blessings”.
His church was founded in 2012. It does not employ permanent staff nor contract workers. Volunteers are given blessings by the man of cloth as a thank you.
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