Prophet Magaya rape trial set to commence

Prophet Walter Magaya, leader of Prophetic Healing Deliverance Ministries (PHD), is scheduled to appear at Harare Magistrates Court this Monday as his trial on rape charges formally begins.

Court documents allege that the accusations against Magaya date back to 2013, when he reportedly met one of the complainants for a prayer session. The prosecution claims that he made sexual advances and subsequently committed rape at a Harare hotel. It is further alleged that assaults occurred on two additional occasions involving the same complainant.

Magaya also faces allegations of sexual violence in 2018 involving a second woman in South Africa. According to court documents, the complainant was taken abroad under the pretext of purchasing machinery and raw materials, during which the prosecution claims Magaya and his aides subjected her to sexual assault. Additional alleged assaults occurred in October 2018, when the complainant was invited to Magaya's Marlborough offices in Harare for a business meeting.

Court records indicate that the complainants previously attempted to report the alleged incidents at Waterfalls and Harare Central police stations in 2018. However, the matter was reportedly not pursued at the time, allegedly due to Magaya's influence.

The case marks the formal commencement of proceedings, with Magaya expected to enter a plea and the prosecution to present its evidence in the coming weeks. The trial has drawn significant attention given Magaya's prominence as a religious leader in Zimbabwe.