Prophet Magaya accuser confesses

Denford Mutashu, the man who accused Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader, Walter Magaya of having an illicit sexual relationship with his wife, has openly confessed about his $500 000 demand.

Mutashu yesterday appeared at a PHD midweek service in Harare where he denied ever receiving money from Magaya and asked for forgiveness in front of thousands of people at the church. Mutashu was claiming the money in adultery damages from Magaya, but withdrew the High Court lawsuit on September 12. He filed the suit after Magaya through his lawyers vehemently denied the allegations.

His wife Memory Nomsa Ruvizhe, through an affidavit, had claimed this was a gamble by her husband, aimed at milking money from the preacher. After several reports and further accusations against the man-of-cloth, Mutashu decided to have the matter pulled out of court.

Circumstances leading to Mutashu's decision to withdraw the case were not clear, since no reasons were proffered in his notice of withdrawal. Claims were made that he had been paid $150 000 to back down.

Mutashu went to PHD Ministries during the church's Wednesday prayer session to give a "confession", dispelling claims that he had been paid to withdraw the lawsuit.

"I have not been given any money… and will not receive money from the prophet," Mutashu said.

He said if he had been paid such a large sum of money, he would by now be flying around the world, spending the money.

"There is serious God's work at play here", Mutashu said, adding that it was never an easy decision to make for him to come before the huge congregation and give a confession.

He said he had been delivered after travelling out of the country, where the Daily News understands was to TB Joshua's Synagogue Church of all Nations.

"I have travelled and after my travelling I got my deliverance. From now onwards, we are going to be friends and brothers with the prophet," Mutashu said, much to wild cheers from the large congregation.

Asked to confirm if he was the one who was demanding the $500 000, Mutashu said, "The best way is to forget what has happened in the past and move forward."

His visit to PHD Ministries yesterday put a lid to speculation that surrounded the whole case.

During his visit to Nigeria, Mutashu reportedly told TB Joshua that he was going to withdraw the charges, adding that he had been misled by lawyers to try and tarnish Magaya's image.

"Take notice that the plaintiff hereby withdraws its claim in this matter and tenders wasted costs," reads the notice that he filed at the High Court.

In the notice of withdrawal, no reasons had been proffered why Mutashu had decided to drop the lawsuit.

Magaya had always denied the adultery claims, adding that the averments were devoid of any recognised legal basis and deserved to be struck off.

Through his lawyers from Rubaya & Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, who had instructed Thabani Mpofu, Magaya said the application was devoid of merit, and lacked the basic principles expected of such an application.

He said Mutashu's claim failed to disclose cause of action cognisable at law.

"Whilst making a claim for adultery damages, plaintiff (Mutashu) does not allege, plead or place reliance upon any real or alleged sexual encounter between defendant and his wife," Magaya argued.

"No date and place of any sexual encounter has been set out as is required by law."

The PHD leader had further told the court that no particulars that would support the commission of adultery had been set out or relied upon in the entire request.

"The claim is consequently set in vacuo, incompetent and devoid of any recognised legal basis," he said.