HARARE – The founder of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, Walter Magaya, was arrested on Saturday on rape and fraud charges, police said.
The 41-year-old self-styled prophet was seized from his church offices in Harare by a team of detectives who arrived in several unmarked vehicles.
Police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of church leader Walter Magaya in connection with several reports of rape and fraud. The suspect was arrested early today by a police crack team.”
Rape allegations have long stalked Magaya after several female members of his church alleged a history of abuse, but police had never acted.
The Gender Commission launched its own investigation into the rape allegations, but the findings were never publicly shared.
