By Staff Reporter | The NewsHawks |
HARARE – The trial of beleaguered Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader Walter Magaya on new rape charges set to run from 16-19 February is likely to open a Pandora’s Box on the dodgy church which insiders say has deteriorated into a brothel where single and married women visited for prosperity gospel sermons, healing, sex and money.
Many women could not resist the allure of Magaya building castles in the sky through false prophecies, concoctions labelled as tonic for healing and money.
They deserted their homes in the evenings for all-night prayers, a cover for sexual escapades and cash.
Magaya is in detention facing new charges, including sexual coercion, abuse and rape, which resurfaced in late 2025 and early this year.
The charges involve congregants, with incidents spanning 2018 to 2023.
Insiders say these new charges may well be linked to broader, long-standing allegations of sexual exploitation of women within the church that has degenerated into a bawdy house.
The allegations include claims that Magaya used his position of influence to engage in coercive sexual relationships, with reports suggesting that he exploited congregants’ fears of “demons”, promises of spiritual blessings and money to get sexual favours.
One prominent former church member said: “It will be an interesting trial, especially for media; it’s tabloid stuff.
“First, it will show that the church’s leaders used their religious influence, promises of miracles, prosperity, healing and money to lure women into a Lion’s Den.
“Second, it will open a Pandora’s Box, exposing systematic sexual abuse, rape and exploitation.
“Third, the other issue is that Magaya ran a vast patronage network, covering the church, religious groups and clergy, civil society, politics, business and media before he ran out of money.
“All these things will explode into the public domain during trial. Basically, Magaya’s real problem is not really all those allegations – it’s money.
“He can no longer service his vast, unsustainable patronage network and has thus lost his grip on the situation – his fate is all but sealed unless, of course, he can perform miracles.”
The new charges follow Magaya’s long history of controversy, including a 2016 rape charge withdrawn after the victim claimed to have received death threats, and further accusations in 2019 which later prompted the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) to launch a fresh investigation.
ZGC pushed for Magaya’s arraignment and prosecution, leading to his arrest in November last year.
Allegations against him also involve claims of complainants suspiciously withdrawing charges, with insiders signaling a pattern of pressure, intimidation and payments of hush money.
However, money has run out to protect Magaya.
But insiders say he is lucky, though, as some women won’t complain as they would not want to expose themselves, have new relationships or are now married, sweeping cases under the carpet.
Apart from rape charges, Magaya also faces 78 counts of fraud.
Magaya is jointly charged with his wife, Tendai, and their company, Planet Africa, on the 78 counts of fraud over a housing scheme.
Trial date set for March 27, 2026.
In February 2019, he was convicted of fraud and fined US$700 for falsely claiming to have discovered a herbal cure for HIV and AIDS.
MAGAYA FOUR RAPE CHARGES:
Details of the charges:
🔴Count 1 (2020): A 24-year-old church worker allegedly raped at a hotel room under the pretext of a Bible study.
🔴Count 2 (2023): A 22-year-old woman ordered to stay at Yadah Hotel in Harare for prayers to stop spirits manifestations, but raped in the Presidential Suite.
🔴Count 3 (2016): A 32-year-old lady offered a job in a housing project, but was raped at a Borrowdale house.
🔴Count 4: A 21-year-old shop attendant invited to a hotel as a reward for selling the accused’s books, and raped there.
The state has opposed bail, citing gravity of the charges, flight risk and interference with witnesses.
