Prophet Walter Magaya arrested

 

By Johnson Progress.

The Police have arrested the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, self‑styled prophet Walter Magaya, early Saturday, confirming he is being held on multiple allegations of rape and fraud.

 

The 41‑year‑old, a high‑profile Pentecostal figure, was seized by a specialist “crack team” of detectives who stormed his church offices in Harare in unmarked vehicles.

 

In a brief statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the Zimbabwe Republic Police “confirms the arrest of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Church leader, Walter Magaya, in connection with several reports of rape and fraud.”

 

He added that the arrest was made “early today by a police crack team” and that “more details will be released in due course.”

 

The police announcement, carried by the ZRP press office, emphasized that the operation followed “multiple reports alleging rape and fraud” and that investigations are ongoing.

 

Commissioner Nyathi reiterated the force’s commitment to “upholding the law and ensuring that all complaints are thoroughly investigated, regardless of an individual’s social or religious standing.”

 

The arrest marks a dramatic turn for a man whose ministry has attracted thousands of followers across the country.

 

The outlet notes that Magaya has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, despite a decade of investigative reporting that unearthed audio and testimonies alleging a pattern of sexual abuse and financial manipulation under the guise of “spiritual deliverance.”

 

Magaya, a prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s Pentecostal movement, has faced previous allegations but has consistently denied any misconduct.

 

Police have not disclosed the exact number of complaints or a possible court date, saying only that further information will be provided as the investigation progresses.

 

The arrest has already sparked intense media and public interest, with commentators noting it as a “turning point” in the state’s willingness to confront alleged religious abuse.