HARARE – Controversial cleric Prophet Walter Magaya is facing escalating legal pressure after fresh drug trafficking claims emerged from a police raid at his Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls.
The latest development adds to a growing list of court battles confronting the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder, including a multimillion-dollar debt ruling and ongoing criminal proceedings.
Last week, law enforcement officers raided Yadah Hotel, a property linked to Magaya, and recovered large quantities of unregistered and unapproved complementary medicines.
The hotel, represented by director Donald Makuvaza, appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki and pleaded guilty to charges of possessing unregistered medicines. The matter has been remanded to March 10 for plea recording.
According to court papers, detectives from CID Headquarters in Harare acted on a tip-off on November 15 last year that the hotel was storing unapproved drugs in one of its rooms. Upon searching the premises, officers allegedly discovered significant quantities of various medicines, including antibiotics, antifungal treatments, injections and topical creams.
Investigators also recovered Compounded Prescription Weekly forms indicating that the medicines were intended for an individual identified as Happiness Mavindire. The state maintained that the hotel had no lawful authority to possess the medicines.
The development comes as Magaya battles other serious legal challenges. The High Court of Zimbabwe recently ordered him to repay US$3 million to an Israeli business partner in a case registered under HC 621/23.
The dispute arose from a mining investment arrangement in which funds were advanced by a group of Israeli investors, facilitated by Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Israel, Ambassador Ronny Levi Musan.
Magaya had argued that the agreement contravened Zimbabwe’s exchange control regulations and was therefore unenforceable, proposing repayment in local currency instead of U.S. dollars.
Justice Maxwell Takuva, however, ruled against him, upholding the obligation to repay the debt. The order includes interest at 3 percent per month, compounded monthly, from July 1, 2022, and allows for immovable property to be attached if necessary to satisfy the debt.
In addition to the financial ruling and the medicines case, Magaya is facing four counts of rape involving adult congregants, allegations he denies. The matters are still before the courts.
In a recent court filing dated February 17, 2026, Magaya’s legal team sought the recusal of prosecutor Tendayi Shonhayi, alleging she is affiliated with a rival church led by Emmanuel Makandiwa.
The defence argued that the alleged affiliation presents a conflict of interest and raised concerns over certain procedural decisions in the handling of the trial. The prosecution has not publicly responded to the claims.
