Johnson Progress

Walter Magaya, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, has slammed the State for conducting investigations through social media, saying he is ready to face trial for rape and fraud charges.

Magaya and his wife, Tendai, appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa on Tuesday for routine remand, with their lawyers accusing the State of leaking information to the press.

“The accused persons are ready and the State should investigate the matter in a manner which is not prejudicial to the accused persons,” said lead counsel Admire Rubaya.

The couple faces 13 fraud charges, while Magaya is also charged separately with rape.

Their companies, Planet Africa and Yadah Connect, are jointly charged.

Prosecutors allege they misrepresented to congregants and followers that they had secured large tracts of land for residential developments in various locations, collecting about US$50,000 and R190,000 from prospective homeowners for stands that never materialized.

Rubaya criticized the police for issuing statements on social media, saying it’s prejudicial to the accused.

“The State should bring the accused to trial. They have been investigating the matter since 2022. They should take a leaf from the police homicide department which investigates and brings people to court and not statements,” he said.

Magaya has denied the allegations, claiming the rape complaints were fabricated by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, which he says has misused its powers to force the complainants into making false allegations against him.

The matter was postponed to December 9 as investigations continue.

Magaya was granted US$3,000 bail by the Harare High Court, with conditions including surrendering his passport and reporting weekly to police.