Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, leader Walter Magaya appears in court this Monday seeking to have his rape cases referred to the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe. His legal team is challenging the decision to conduct the proceedings in the Victim-Friendly Court, arguing that doing so infringes on his constitutional rights.
Magaya faces four counts of rape, allegations he denies. The State opposes his application, insisting the matter should continue in the Victim-Friendly Court to protect the complainants, whom prosecutors describe as vulnerable witnesses.
In an earlier ruling, the court dismissed objections raised by Magaya’s lawyers, stating that handling the matter in the Victim-Friendly Court is necessary to safeguard the complainants and uphold the integrity of the judicial process.
Magaya is also expected to appear separately for the commencement of trial in another case in which he is accused of sexually assaulting two congregants. According to court documents, one of the cases stems from allegations dating back to 2013, while another reportedly involves an incident said to have occurred in 2018 in South Africa.
The State alleges that in both cases, Magaya took advantage of his position and proximity to the complainants, though the details remain matters before the court. Magaya has formally denied all allegations.
All the cases remain pending as legal proceedings continue.
