Prophet Walter Magaya, founder of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, and his wife Tendai appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court in Zimbabwe for a routine remand hearing on fraud charges. The couple, who remain out on bail (Magaya at US$3,000 and Tendai at US$500), faced a brief postponement as the State continues its investigations.
Magaya and Tendai arrived at the Harare Magistrates Court around 7-8 AM local time, accompanied by supporters and legal team. Live footage from journalists captured the couple entering the building, with Magaya dressed in a blue suit and Tendai in formal attire. The hearing was unremarkable, focused solely on remand rather than trial evidence.
Prosecutor Linos Muchinehuta requested a deferral to December 9, citing the need to finalize investigations, record outstanding witness statements, and compile the docket. The defense, led by lawyer Admire Rubaya, consented to the extension but issued a stern warning: further delays would be “unfair” to the accused, who are “fully prepared for trial.” Rubaya emphasized, “We are saying no to megaphone investigations. Cases are not won through police statements on social media. The investigating team must take a leaf from their homicide counterparts.”
Magaya was arrested on November 3 alongside his wife and aide on 78 counts of fraud, stemming from 13 complainants who allege they were defrauded of over US$49,000 and R195,000 through false promises of land deals and investments tied to PHD Ministries.
Post-bail, police allegedly plotted an immediate re-arrest, leading to a High Court review filed by Magaya’s team on November 13, challenging the magistrate’s November 4 ruling and seeking compensation for “unlawful detention.” His wife and aide were also bailed earlier, but Magaya spent about two weeks in custody before release.
On 17 November, Magaya made his first public appearance in two weeks, leading a church service, signaling a return to normalcy despite the scrutiny.
