Prophet Walter Magaya denied bail; remanded in custody until November 30, wife and bodyguard released

HARARE – Yadah FC owner and Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader, Walter Magaya, has been denied bail and remanded in custody until November 30, following a court ruling on Tuesday.

Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa dismissed Magaya’s application for release, ruling that his alleged over-detention had no bearing on the decision to grant bail.

Through his lawyers, Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza, Magaya informed the court that he would not pursue a bail application at the Magistrates’ Court in relation to his fraud and rape charges, but would instead apply for bail at the High Court.

Meanwhile, Magaya’s wife, Tendai, who is jointly accused alongside her husband and their company, Planet Africa, on several fraud charges, was released on US$500 bail.

Magistrate Gofa ruled that the State had failed to provide compelling reasons to justify keeping her in custody, adding that while the charges were serious, this alone could not warrant denying bail.

“In casu, the court finds that the submissions by the accused are plausible. The accused person is not a flight risk,” she said.

“If the State began investigating her in 2023, it shows she has been aware and could have fled to the UK, South Africa, or any other country, but she did not.

“Denying her bail under these circumstances would be tantamount to a travesty of justice; it defies common sense.”

In a related matter, Magaya’s bodyguard, Tapiwa Felix Chikondo was also granted US$300 bail.

The 34-year old faces charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice and alternatively, assaulting or resisting a peace officer, following an incident at Magaya’s Waterfalls prayer mountain.

Chikondo allegedly assaulted police officers when he tried to resist Magaya’s arrest in the early hours of Saturday around 5am.