Latest On Walter Magaya: Prophet Slapped With 4 More Rape Charges After Dramatic Court Arrest, Remanded Behind Bars

Latest On Walter Magaya: Prophet Facing 4 More Rape Charges

In the latest dramatic twist in a long-running legal saga, prominent clergyman Walter Magaya is now facing four more rape charges and has been remanded behind bars. The Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) founder was dramatically arrested on Monday, 26 January 2026, as he left the Harare Magistrates Court.

The new arrest for the four fresh allegations came moments after he appeared in court for two separate legal matters. That day, the state revealed his initial rape trial, involving two other women, was in disarray. Simultaneously, his unrelated fraud case was postponed to March.

Dramatic Arrest Follows Court Setbacks

The timing of the arrest is central to the story. On 26 January, prosecutor Tendai Shonhai informed Magistrate Francis Mapfumo that the initial rape trial could not proceed. One complainant was in Ireland, with discussions ongoing about funding her travel. Magaya’s lawyer, Admire Rubaya, revealed a key development regarding the second original accuser.

“The second complainant in the case has since filed an affidavit withdrawing the charges against Magaya,” Rubaya stated.

With the original case faltering, Rubaya applied for Magaya’s removal from remand. Shortly after stepping out of the court building, the scene shifted dramatically.  Magaya was surrounded by police detectives in the court car park.

“He was escorted to a commuter omnibus with no seats and was ordered to sit on the floor, as smart as he is. It’s a sad day for justice,” Rubaya later told Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi, protesting the manner of the arrest.

He accused the state of orchestrating the new arrest to keep Magaya detained.

State Cites Due Process As Prophet Is Remanded

Appearing before Magistrate Rwodzi on the four new charges, prosecutors Clemence Chimbari and Tendai Shonhai defended the arrest. They stated it followed completed investigations into the serious new allegations.

“Investigations were underway and as soon as police concluded them, they effected the arrest,” Chimbari said. He added, “An arrest is effected where there is reasonable suspicion that a criminal offence has been committed.”

Due to the gravity of rape charges, the magistrate could not grant bail. Chimbari confirmed, “only the High Court has jurisdiction to grant bail.”

Magaya was formally remanded in custody until 16 February 2026. The state indicated the trial for the four new allegations would run from 16 to 19 February.

Magaya’s separate fraud case, where he is accused alongside his wife Tendai, was postponed to 27 March 2026, pending indictment by the High Court.

His legal team confirmed they would apply for bail on the new rape charges at the High Court.