Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa has just dismissed an application for immediate release by Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Walter Magaya but granted US$500 bail to his wife Tendai.
Magaya and his wife, Tendai, are facing charges of fraud linked to a multimillion-dollar church housing project that allegedly never materialized. The magistrate ruled that the State had failed to present compelling reasons to justify keeping her in custody.
Tendai is jointly charged with her husband, Walter Magaya, and their company Planet Africa, represented by Tendai Chinguwa. The trio is accused of defrauding members of the public and congregants of PHD Ministries through a bogus housing and investment scheme.
According to the State, the alleged scam saw the ministry and its associated companies receiving over US$50,000, R195,000, and ZW$1,000 from victims, none of which has been recovered.
The PHD leader is also facing an extra charge of rape and was advised to apply to the High Court for bail. He was also remanded in custody to November 13.
In the fraud case, both Magaya and his wife were remanded to November 18.
Gofa ruled that Tendai was not a flight risk and granted her application for bail. In addition to paying US$500, she was ordered to surrender her passport, report once a fortnight to the nearest police station, and not to interfere with witnesses.
“The fact that the accused is facing a serious offence does not bar the court from granting her bail. The court finds that at least the accused gave plausible reasons for the court to rule otherwise…and that the issues submitted by State do not show compelling reasons,” Gofa said.
“Surely for two years the State has not finalised the investigations. Since 2023, she could have run away to the (United Kingdom, so) she is not a flight risk,” she added.
“The law requires investigation before arrest and not arrest and then investigate. The State’s allegations against the accused person are too weak to deny her bail.”
Meanwhile, security aide to the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries), Tapiwa Felix Chikondo (34), has been granted US$300 bail after appearing in court on allegations of obstructing the course of justice.
Chikondo appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai, who granted him bail under strict conditions pending trial. As part of the bail terms, Chikondo was ordered not to interfere with witnesses, to continue residing at his stated address, and to surrender his passport to the Clerk of Court until the matter is finalised.
Chikondo, who is being represented by Mr Stephen Chikotora and Mr Malvern Mapako, is accused of interfering with the arrest of Prophet Magaya during a police operation last Saturday. The court heard that Chikondo allegedly attempted to prevent law enforcement officers from executing their duties, leading to his subsequent arrest.
The case, which has attracted widespread public attention due to Magaya’s prominence in the religious community, is set to go to trial on November 20.
