Controversial preacher Prophet Walter Magaya, leader of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, has suffered a major blow to his sprawling empire after the High Court in Harare issued a writ of execution against his multimillion-dollar hotel and stadium complex in Waterfalls.
Court papers under Case Number SH3294/25 show that Chinese investor Li Xiu Yun successfully obtained an order authorising the sale of Magaya’s rights and title to Stand 168 of Prospect, a 3.84-hectare property along Smuts Road. The property, long promoted as the jewel of Magaya’s business and spiritual vision, comprises a four-star-standard hotel, cluster houses, lodges, and the imposing Yadah Stadium.
The Waterfalls complex was once touted as a flagship investment that would place PHD Ministries at the forefront of religious tourism and private sports infrastructure. The hotel attracted pilgrims, business travellers, and sporting visitors, while the stadium became a lively hub for football matches, community events, and mega-church gatherings attended by tens of thousands of congregants.
The development not only altered the face of the Prospect area but also symbolised Magaya’s dual persona: part preacher, part businessman. At its peak, the complex drew international visitors, boosted local commerce, and was hailed as a sign that Zimbabwean churches could contribute meaningfully to national development.
Now, however, the impending auction represents one of the harshest setbacks in Magaya’s career.
Since establishing PHD Ministries in 2012, Magaya built a reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s most ambitious clergymen. He pursued real estate, health services, residential estates, and commercial centres alongside his spiritual mission.
The Waterfalls hotel was marketed as a premium facility capable of competing with top city hotels, while the Yadah Stadium was celebrated as one of the largest privately built sports venues in the capital. Magaya frequently described his ventures as part of a broader strategy to “empower communities”, create jobs, and provide infrastructure where the state was failing.
Prophet Walter Magaya Loses Hotel and Stadium Complex in Court-Ordered Auction
Magaya’s rise was bolstered by strong political connections. In 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa personally commissioned the Yadah Stadium, praising the project as a model of private investment. At the event, Mnangagwa urged other church leaders and entrepreneurs to follow Magaya’s example, cementing the preacher’s reputation as both a spiritual guide and a political ally.
The presidential endorsement elevated Magaya’s status, giving his projects an aura of state approval. For a time, the clergyman appeared untouchable, straddling the worlds of faith, politics, and business with ease.
Despite the glittering façade, cracks soon appeared in Magaya’s empire. Several of his projects stalled midway due to lack of funding. Others became entangled in disputes with contractors, investors, and foreign partners.
Over the years, Magaya faced lawsuits from disgruntled business associates who accused him of reneging on agreements. Allegations of financial mismanagement also surfaced, raising questions about the sustainability of his ventures.
The current High Court writ stems from a protracted dispute with Li Xiu Yun, who is reportedly owed significant sums by Magaya. The court’s order allows Yun to recover the debt by selling the Waterfalls complex, effectively stripping Magaya of his most valuable assets.
For Magaya, the court ruling is more than just a financial setback—it is a symbolic fall from grace. Once celebrated on the national stage alongside the President, he now faces the prospect of losing the very property that embodied his vision of combining faith and enterprise.
For his thousands of followers, the news has been devastating. Many congregants regarded the Waterfalls hotel and stadium as sacred spaces where spiritual and communal life converged. The possibility of losing access to the complex has shaken the faith of some, while others remain hopeful that Magaya will somehow regain control.
The looming auction also raises broader questions about the risks of mixing religion with high-stakes business. Magaya’s story illustrates how rapid expansion, political ties, and ambitious promises can create towering empires—yet also leave them vulnerable to collapse when debts mount and disputes escalate.
Observers say the High Court ruling could mark the beginning of a wider unraveling of Magaya’s property portfolio, as other creditors may be emboldened to pursue similar action.
The court-ordered auction of Walter Magaya’s Waterfalls complex represents a dramatic turning point in the preacher’s career. What was once celebrated as a beacon of private initiative and religious entrepreneurship is now at risk of being dismantled to settle debts.
For the controversial clergyman, it is a stark reminder that spiritual charisma and political connections cannot shield business empires from legal accountability. And for Zimbabweans, it underscores the precarious balance between faith, finance, and the law in a country where all three are often deeply intertwined.
Source- ZimEye
