HARARE — The trial of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Walter Magaya on a series of rape and sexual abuse charges is scheduled to run from 16 to 19 February, in proceedings that are expected to draw significant public and media attention.
Magaya, a prominent religious leader, is in custody facing multiple counts including rape, sexual coercion and abuse. The allegations, which resurfaced in late 2025 and early this year, involve female congregants and are said to relate to incidents that allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2023.
Prosecutors allege that Magaya used his position of spiritual authority to exploit vulnerable church members. According to court documents, the complainants claim they were lured under the pretext of prayer sessions, counselling or religious instruction before being sexually assaulted. The state has opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, concerns over potential witness interference and the risk of flight.
Former church members and individuals familiar with the ministry say the trial could bring renewed scrutiny to longstanding accusations of misconduct within the organisation. Some allege a pattern in which women were promised spiritual deliverance, healing or financial breakthroughs, only to face inappropriate or coercive encounters. These claims remain allegations to be tested in court.
A former congregant, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the proceedings could expose “systemic abuse of power and exploitation” within the church’s leadership structures. Such accounts have not yet been examined in court, and Magaya has not publicly responded to the latest charges.
The case follows years of controversy surrounding the preacher. In 2016, a rape charge against him was withdrawn after the complainant reportedly said she had received threats. Additional allegations surfaced in 2019, prompting the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) to call for further investigation. The Commission’s intervention contributed to renewed legal action, culminating in Magaya’s arrest late last year.
Beyond the sexual offence charges, Magaya also faces 78 counts of fraud linked to a housing scheme. He is jointly charged with his wife, Tendai Magaya, and their company, Planet Africa. That trial is scheduled to begin on 27 March 2026.
In a separate earlier case, Magaya was convicted of fraud in 2019 and fined US$700 after falsely claiming to have discovered a herbal cure for HIV and AIDS.
Details contained in the current indictment outline four specific rape counts involving adult women who were allegedly targeted in different settings, including private residences and hotel rooms, under what prosecutors describe as religious or employment-related pretexts. Defence submissions are expected during the trial.
Legal analysts say the proceedings could prove significant, both for the individuals involved and for broader debates around accountability within religious institutions. The court will ultimately determine the credibility of the allegations and the outcome of the charges.
