A Zimbabwe court has denied bail to Prophet Walter Magaya, ruling it lacks the authority to consider his release on rape charges. The magistrate in Harare on Tuesday ordered the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader to seek relief from the High Court instead. Magaya faces 13 fraud counts and five rape allegations.
Regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa explained that her court cannot legally process bail applications for rape cases. She remanded the 41-year-old preacher until Nov. 13. His defense attorneys argued that authorities held him and his wife, Tendai, past the constitutional 48-hour detention limit after their arrest during a Saturday morning raid. Prosecutors countered that alleged constitutional violations do not dismiss criminal charges, noting remedies exist through the Constitutional Court. The magistrate agreed with the state.
Fraud allegations center on a housing scheme prosecutors say cheated church members and investors through misrepresented land deals from 2016 forward. Authorities claim Magaya falsely portrayed himself as the owner of the property actually belonging to former Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono. Alleged victims reportedly lost about $49,000 and R195,000 combined through companies Planet Africa and Yadah Connect. The rape charges will be heard privately in closed sessions.
Regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa explained that her court cannot legally process bail applications for rape cases. She remanded the 41-year-old preacher until Nov. 13. His defense attorneys argued that authorities held him and his wife, Tendai, past the constitutional 48-hour detention limit after their arrest during a Saturday morning raid. Prosecutors countered that alleged constitutional violations do not dismiss criminal charges, noting remedies exist through the Constitutional Court. The magistrate agreed with the state.
Fraud allegations center on a housing scheme prosecutors say cheated church members and investors through misrepresented land deals from 2016 forward. Authorities claim Magaya falsely portrayed himself as the owner of the property actually belonging to former Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono. Alleged victims reportedly lost about $49,000 and R195,000 combined through companies Planet Africa and Yadah Connect. The rape charges will be heard privately in closed sessions.
