Online Reporter
Sunday Mail Reporter
POLICE have been inundated with local and international calls from people who intend to report rape, assault and fraud allegations against Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Walter Magaya, who was recently arrested on multiple charges of rape and fraud.
Magaya was apprehended during an operation by a police crack team and has since appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa alongside his wife Tendai Magaya on fraud charges.
The couple is jointly charged with their company, Planet Africa.
Magaya faces five counts of rape and 13 counts of fraud linked to the sale of residential stands. He has been remanded in custody, while his wife was granted bail.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations were continuing.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has received numerous calls locally and internationally on how to report rape, assault and fraud allegations against PHD Ministries’ Walter Magaya,” said Comm Nyathi.
“We have availed the following contacts for reports: Cellphone number 0776 830 226, National Complaints number (0242) 703631 and WhatsApp number 0712 800 197. Victims in Zimbabwe, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia or any other country are encouraged to report freely.”
He further urged victims in South Africa to lodge their reports at local police stations, have statements notarised and submit them to the Zimbabwean Embassy.
Comm Nyathi also warned individuals and syndicates against attempting to interfere with investigations or intimidate witnesses, saying such acts would lead to arrest for defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Meanwhile, police have cautioned individuals and groups, including social media platforms such as COZWA and Crime Watch Zimbabwe, against publishing personal contact details of investigating officers.
According to the State, Magaya’s alleged sexual offences date back to 2013, when he met one of the complainants, who was reportedly ill at the time and sought prayers from him. It is alleged that after her recovery, Magaya began making sexual advances on her, frequently sending her messages and making unfulfilled promises, including an offer to send her abroad for further education.
On the first count of rape, the court heard that Magaya invited the complainant to a hotel, where she allegedly found him naked before being sexually assaulted.
The court further heard that the same complainant was allegedly raped on two occasions.
On the second count, Magaya is accused of raping another complainant, who was 32 years old at the time, in 2018.
The court was told that the PHD leader had informed the woman’s mother that he intended to take her daughter to South Africa to purchase machinery and raw materials for a business venture.
It is alleged that Magaya bought an air ticket for the complainant.
However, the trip allegedly took a heinous turn after Magaya sexually assaulted her with the assistance of his bodyguards.
The court also heard that Magaya allegedly raped the same complainant again in October 2018 after inviting her to his Marlborough offices in Harare for a supposed business meeting.
According to court documents, the complainant attempted to report the matter in 2018 at the Waterfalls Police Station and the Harare Central Police Station, but the reports were allegedly swept under the carpet owing to Magaya’s influence.
