LATEST: Prophet Magaya Remanded in Custody on 4 Fresh Rape Charges
Topic: Crime & Courts | Person: Prophet Walter Magaya | Location: Harare Magistrates Court | Date: Jan 27, 2026
Harare, Zimbabwe — In a dramatic twist to a long-running legal saga, PHD Ministries founder Prophet Walter Magaya has been remanded behind bars after being slapped with four new rape charges. The cleric was denied bail by the Magistrate court due to the gravity of the offenses.
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| Prophet Walter Magaya faces fresh allegations. |
Remanded to February 16
Magaya will remain in custody until mid-February. Prosecutors successfully argued that only the High Court has jurisdiction to grant bail for these serious third-schedule offenses.
Four Fresh Counts
Prophet Magaya appeared before Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi facing four counts of rape. These are separate from the initial allegations he was previously facing.
Prosecutors Clemence Chimbari and Tendai Shonhai stated that police investigations into these new allegations had been concluded, necessitating his immediate arrest and remand.
- Next Court Date: February 16, 2026.
- Trial Schedule: The State indicated the trial for these specific charges would run from February 16 to 19.
- Bail Status: Denied. His legal team must now apply to the High Court for relief.
Scene at the Court
The arrest occurred on Monday, January 26, in the court car park, just moments after Magaya’s defense team had applied for his removal from remand on the initial charges.
Defense lawyer Admire Rubaya protested the "undignified" manner of the arrest in court:
“He was escorted to a commuter omnibus with no seats and was ordered to sit on the floor, as smart as he is. It’s a sad day for justice.”
Initial Cases Falter
Before the new arrest, the initial rape trial involving two other women faced significant setbacks:
- Complainant 1 (Ireland): The trial could not proceed as the witness is in Ireland. There are unresolved discussions regarding who will fund her travel to Zimbabwe.
- Complainant 2 (Withdrawal): Lawyer Admire Rubaya revealed this complainant has filed an affidavit formally withdrawing charges against Magaya.
In a separate matter, the fraud case where Magaya is accused alongside his wife, Tendai, was postponed to March 27, 2026, pending indictment by the High Court.
Defense vs. State
The Defense: Accused the State of orchestrating the new arrest specifically to keep Magaya detained after realizing the initial case was crumbling.
The State: Prosecutor Chimbari maintained the arrest was procedural. “Investigations were underway and as soon as police concluded them, they effected the arrest... An arrest is effected where there is reasonable suspicion that a criminal offence has been committed.”
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