NPA pulls prosecutor from Magaya rape trial over bias claim

A rape trial just got reshuffled after bias claims knocked the lead prosecutor off Walter Magaya’s case.

Prosecutor removed from rape trial

• The National Prosecuting Authority accepted Walter Magaya’s demand to drop Tendayi Shonhayi.
• Magaya fired off an urgent letter to the Prosecutor General on Tuesday.
• Shonhayi skipped court on Wednesday after the shake-up.
• No formal statement came out from the NPA.

Religious rivalry allegations surface

• Magaya argued Shonhayi belongs to Emmanuel Makandiwa’s UFIC.
• He claimed that the link tainted her approach to the case.
• Accusations suggested she wanted to hurt PHD Ministries.
• Makandiwa leads UFIC from Chitungwiza, near Waterfalls.

Church proximity and tensions

• PHD Ministries operates in Waterfalls.
• UFIC is based in Chitungwiza under Makandiwa.
• Magaya framed the churches as direct competitors.
• He insisted the prosecution aimed to boost UFIC’s standing.

New faces join the prosecution team

• Angeline Munyeriwa stepped into the State lineup.
• Clemence Chimbare is part of the reshaped team.
• Kudakwashe Chigwedere also joined the prosecution bench.
• Foelane Muronda rounds out the updated legal crew.