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Prophet Magaya granted US$3,000 bail by High Court
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Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Walter Magaya has been granted US$3,000 bail by High Court Judge Vivian Ndlovu after spending a week in custody. Magaya faces four rape charges that are set to go to trial next month.
Judge Ndlovu imposed several conditions on Magaya's release. He must deposit US$3,000 with the clerk of court, report twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays at CID Mukushi Academy, surrender his passport, hand over the title deed to his Mt Pleasant home, and continue residing at his current address until the conclusion of the trial.
Magaya had initially appeared before Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi, where he did not oppose being remanded. He is scheduled to return to court on February 16, when the trial is set to begin on a continuous roll until February 19.
The State alleges that Magaya sexually assaulted four women between 2016 and 2023. The first charge involves a 24-year-old Harare woman allegedly assaulted at a hotel after being invited to church-related activities in July 2020. The second count concerns a 22-year-old woman from Chegutu, who prosecutors say was directed to Harare for prayers and later sexually assaulted in 2023 at Magaya's hotel.
The third case involves a 32-year-old Harare woman who had known Magaya as her pastor and was allegedly lured to a Borrowdale property under the guise of employment linked to a housing project in 2016. The fourth count pertains to a 21-year-old woman from Chegutu, reportedly called to a hotel suite under the pretext of assisting in marketing a church book and assaulted. In all four cases, prosecutors maintain the encounters were non-consensual, and medical evidence will be presented at trial.
Magaya's lawyer, Admire Rubaya, accused police of manipulating the timing of the arrest to keep his client in custody, arguing that witnesses in an earlier, separate rape case had either withdrawn or were unavailable. Police dismissed these claims, insisting the arrest was lawful and followed completed investigations.
Magaya is now out on bail and preparing for his February trial while complying with the High Court's conditions.
Judge Ndlovu imposed several conditions on Magaya's release. He must deposit US$3,000 with the clerk of court, report twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays at CID Mukushi Academy, surrender his passport, hand over the title deed to his Mt Pleasant home, and continue residing at his current address until the conclusion of the trial.
Magaya had initially appeared before Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi, where he did not oppose being remanded. He is scheduled to return to court on February 16, when the trial is set to begin on a continuous roll until February 19.
The State alleges that Magaya sexually assaulted four women between 2016 and 2023. The first charge involves a 24-year-old Harare woman allegedly assaulted at a hotel after being invited to church-related activities in July 2020. The second count concerns a 22-year-old woman from Chegutu, who prosecutors say was directed to Harare for prayers and later sexually assaulted in 2023 at Magaya's hotel.
The third case involves a 32-year-old Harare woman who had known Magaya as her pastor and was allegedly lured to a Borrowdale property under the guise of employment linked to a housing project in 2016. The fourth count pertains to a 21-year-old woman from Chegutu, reportedly called to a hotel suite under the pretext of assisting in marketing a church book and assaulted. In all four cases, prosecutors maintain the encounters were non-consensual, and medical evidence will be presented at trial.
Magaya's lawyer, Admire Rubaya, accused police of manipulating the timing of the arrest to keep his client in custody, arguing that witnesses in an earlier, separate rape case had either withdrawn or were unavailable. Police dismissed these claims, insisting the arrest was lawful and followed completed investigations.
Magaya is now out on bail and preparing for his February trial while complying with the High Court's conditions.
Source - newzimbabwe
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