Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder, Prophet Walter Magaya, suffered a setback after the Harare Regional Magistrates’ Court dismissed his application seeking either an end to further postponements or his removal from remand.
Presiding magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo ruled that the application had no legal basis. The decision was handed down in the absence of both Magaya and his legal representative.
Magaya is currently facing five counts of rape involving two complainants, with the alleged offences dating back to 2013.
The matter was scheduled to proceed to trial earlier this week but was postponed after the State indicated it was not ready to go ahead.
Chief Director of Public Prosecutions Ms Tendai Shonhayi applied for the deferment, explaining that outstanding logistical challenges had prevented the State from securing the attendance of a crucial witness based in Ireland.
She told the court that a breakdown in communication regarding funding had delayed travel arrangements for the witness.
Magaya’s lawyer, Mr Admire Rubaya, opposed the State’s request, accusing prosecutors of failing to adequately prepare the case and misleading the court.
Rubaya argued that key witness statements had not been properly secured, questioning the State’s readiness to prosecute a matter that has remained unresolved for more than ten years.
He further informed the court that one of the complainants filed an affidavit in November 2025 expressing a desire to withdraw the charges, which he said undermined the basis of the prosecution.
On that basis, Rubaya submitted that Magaya’s continued placement on remand violated his constitutional right to a fair and speedy trial.
However, Magistrate Mapfumo rejected the defence’s submissions, ruling in favour of the State and allowing it additional time to finalise its preparations. Thematter was remanded to March 2.
