Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya and his wife Tendai Magaya have been remanded to 9 December 2025 for the setting of a trial date, following a brief but tense appearance at Harare Magistrates Court today. The decision comes as the State successfully applied for a postponement, citing incomplete investigations, despite Magaya having been arrested on 1 November on charges of rape and 13 counts of fraud linked to alleged fake residential stands and investment schemes.
The case has drawn widespread attention, with public interest intensified by Magaya’s high-profile position as a spiritual leader and the serious nature of the allegations.
Magaya’s lawyer, Admire Rubaya, addressed the court, stating that the defence team was fully prepared to proceed to trial. Rubaya argued that the police had contributed to unnecessary delays, conducting what he described as investigations through press statements rather than proper procedural methods.
“We are saying no to megaphone investigations. Cases are not won by police statements on social media. The investigating team must take a leaf from their homicide counterparts,” Rubaya said.
He further warned that repeated postponements could be prejudicial to his clients, emphasizing that the defence was ready to proceed and that undue delays undermine the rights of the accused.
Rubaya’s comments came shortly after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) issued a public warning of alleged attempts to bribe investigators and obstruct the Magaya cases. The defence team argued that such statements unfairly placed the Magayas in a negative public light before a trial could establish facts.
Walter Magaya and Wife Remanded as Investigations Continue Ahead of Trial
The State, represented by prosecutors in court, maintained that additional time was needed to consolidate witness statements, update case dockets, and finalise parallel investigations. These investigations reportedly involve both Walter and Tendai Magaya, as well as associated corporate entities linked to the alleged fraudulent activities.
Magaya is jointly charged with Tendai under docket CR 720/12/23, which outlines alleged misrepresentations involving land purportedly available in New Donnington, Chishawasha, Bulawayo, Mutare, and other areas. The charges claim that members of the church and investors were misled into purchasing non-existent properties.
During the hearing, Walter Magaya appeared composed, dressed in a grey suit, and walked hand-in-hand with Tendai, accompanied by a small entourage of PHD officials. Photographs captured by local media showed the couple entering the courthouse calmly, despite mounting public scrutiny and vocal demands for accountability from complainants.
Observers noted the couple’s calm demeanour in the face of serious allegations that have spanned multiple years. The high-profile nature of the case has ensured that every court appearance is closely monitored, with media and public interest intensifying with each development.
Tendai Magaya, along with Plannet Africa and Yadah Connect, are also central to the fraud docket. The allegations claim that church members were defrauded of over US$50,000, R190,000, and other sums for projects that were never delivered. Prosecutors allege a pattern of misrepresentation and exploitation linked to these corporate entities, forming the basis of the multi-count fraud charges.
The alleged scams reportedly spanned several years, dating back to 2014, and have involved extensive tracking by investigative authorities. The case has also drawn attention due to the combination of spiritual leadership and financial misconduct, raising concerns about the exploitation of faith-based communities.
The matter has now officially been rolled over to 9 December 2025, when the court is expected to set a firm trial date, provided the State completes its investigations in the interim. Legal analysts suggest that the additional time will allow prosecutors to ensure all witness statements, financial records, and associated documentation are thoroughly compiled.
ZimEye and other media outlets will continue to provide live updates as the proceedings unfold, with ongoing analysis of the investigative files that have been monitored since 2014. Observers emphasize that the case is likely to remain under intense public and media scrutiny, given the prominence of the Magayas and the serious nature of the charges.
The case highlights broader questions about accountability, governance, and regulatory oversight within faith-based organisations. It also raises discussions about the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies to conduct transparent investigations while balancing the rights of high-profile accused individuals.
As Zimbabwe awaits further developments, the public remains keenly focused on how the legal process will unfold. The outcome of the Magaya case is expected to set important precedents for both criminal accountability and the handling of fraud and abuse within religious institutions.
Source- ZimEye
