Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
Harare magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo has dismissed Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder Walter Magaya’s application for referral to the Constitutional Court, saying no constitutional issues were raised.
Magaya is facing rape charges.
He sought referral of the matter to the Constitutional Court, arguing that his rights had been violated and accusing the State of pushing ahead despite some complainants withdrawing.
The clergyman also argued that the police altered witness statements.
The investigating officer confirmed that some details in the document were not in the original statement, insisting the adjustments were made to accommodate some clarifications.
“She wrote the statement and sent it to me on October 23, 2025. She had not clarified the time and how the offence was committed,” he told the court.
He further explained how he edited parts of the statement: “On paragraph 11 she wrote, ‘I refused to go because I knew the pregnancy was Prophet Magaya’s.’ I amended ‘Prophet Magaya’ to ‘the accused.’ The complainant would write ‘prophet’, but as a police officer, I changed that to ‘the accused’.
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“Paragraph 16 was not in the first statement. It was a clarification which I sought from the complainant,” he said, adding, “I asked her why she did not report the rape.”
In a passage read out in court, the complainant said she did not report the alleged rape incidents because she felt “completely unsupported and isolated”.
“My parents, whom I hoped would provide guidance and protection, held the accused in high regard and had no reason to doubt him, so I felt they would not believe or support me if I came forward,” the statement reads.
She said her parents were employed by Magaya, saying this made it even harder for her to speak out.
The complainant also pointed to what she perceived as Magaya’s far-reaching influence: “He was a well-connected man, often seen socialising and rubbing shoulders with influential people…”
She also said she feared for her life.
The investigating officer further disclosed that police obtained a warrant to take Magaya from prison for DNA sampling, a move that is now being challenged by the defence, with arguments that he was forcibly taken without his lawyers.
In addition to the rape charges, Magaya, his wife, and their company are also facing fraud charges. That matter is set to be heard at the High Court.
