Controversial preacher and businessman Prophet Walter Magaya, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, has once again been thrust into the national spotlight following shocking new allegations. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Magaya faces five counts of rape and 78 counts of fraud — charges that span several years and involve millions of dollars allegedly swindled from his followers. In a disturbing twist, prosecutors claim that Magaya fathered a child with one of his rape victims, adding another layer of gravity to the already complex case.
Court documents reveal that Magaya is accused of raping two complainants on multiple occasions between 2018 and 2023. One of the women is said to have conceived and given birth as a result of the alleged sexual assault. The NPA claims that Magaya, rather than face the consequences, tried to cover up the crimes by offering financial compensation and coercing his victims into recording video statements denying the abuse.In an official statement, the NPA said:
“Magaya allegedly has a child with the first complainant as a result of rape. The accused person tried to cover his tracks by promising compensation to the complainants and coercing them to record videos claiming that they were not raped.”
These revelations have reignited public outrage over the controversial preacher, who has faced numerous accusations over the years ranging from sexual misconduct to fraudulent investment schemes.
Magaya appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, where he was granted US$3,000 bail. The High Court ordered him to surrender the title deeds to his Mt Pleasant home, hand over his passport, and avoid any form of contact with witnesses while investigations continue.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has since intensified its probe into the case, urging potential witnesses and victims to come forward, both locally and abroad. In an unusual move, the police provided multiple hotlines for confidential reporting — 0776 830 226, (0242) 703 631, and WhatsApp 0712 800 197 — signalling the seriousness of the ongoing inquiry.
Prophet Walter Magaya Faces Fresh Charges Amid Explosive Allegations of Rape, Fraud, and Witness Intimidation
According to the ZRP, several individuals from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia have already reached out to lodge complaints. Victims based outside Zimbabwe have been encouraged to file notarised statements through their local police and forward them to Zimbabwean embassies for onward submission to Harare.
Police have also issued stern warnings against any attempts to obstruct justice.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns individuals and syndicates trying to interfere with investigations or threaten witnesses that they risk arrest for defeating or obstructing the course of justice,” read the official statement.
This latest criminal case comes after nearly a decade of controversy surrounding Magaya’s activities. Since the establishment of PHD Ministries, Magaya has been accused repeatedly of manipulating congregants, exploiting followers, and engaging in fraudulent schemes disguised as spiritual or investment projects.
In 2014, ZimEye began a long-running investigation into the preacher’s conduct, publishing leaked audio recordings, testimonies, and documents that painted a disturbing picture of abuse and deceit. Among the leaked materials was a recording of Magaya’s late mentor, Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua, warning him of “the fall of the anointed” should he fail to change his ways.
One of the most infamous episodes in Magaya’s controversial career came in 2018, when he falsely claimed to have discovered a cure for HIV and cancer. The announcement drew international condemnation, forcing Zimbabwe’s government to intervene and compel him to retract his claims. The episode not only tarnished his reputation but also raised serious ethical questions about his use of faith to manipulate vulnerable believers.
Beyond the sexual abuse allegations, Magaya also faces 78 counts of fraud, linked to an elaborate network of bogus land and investment projects. Court papers indicate that between 2016 and 2018, Magaya and his associates allegedly defrauded church members of more than US$40,000 through fake land sales in Norton, Mutare, Bulawayo, Kwekwe, and Chishawasha.
Pamphlets quoting Genesis 13:9 — “A vast land is out there and available to you” — were distributed to convince congregants that the deals were divinely sanctioned. Investigators later discovered that the land in question either did not exist or was not owned by Magaya.
In one high-profile case, Magaya falsely claimed ownership of New Donnington Farm, a property belonging to former Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono, using it as bait in his fake agricultural investment pitch. Two of his aides were later arrested after attempting to block police access to his Prospect prayer mountain during a raid.
Despite the long trail of accusations, Magaya has managed to avoid long-term prosecution in the past, allegedly benefiting from political connections and fierce loyalty from his followers. However, this latest case — which includes international complainants and DNA evidence linking him to a child born of rape — could mark a turning point.
Human rights advocates and legal experts say this prosecution could test Zimbabwe’s willingness to hold influential religious figures accountable, particularly those accused of using faith as a shield for abuse.
If convicted, Magaya faces life imprisonment on the rape charges and substantial prison time for fraud-related offences. For now, his once-thriving ministry faces an uncertain future, as public confidence continues to erode and new victims step forward to tell their stories.
This case could finally determine whether Walter Magaya, one of Zimbabwe’s most powerful yet polarising spiritual leaders, will be held to account after a decade marked by scandal, manipulation, and alleged impunity.
