Magaya: Police invite victims abroad as investigations widen
Source: Magaya: Police invite victims abroad as investigations widen – herald Freeman Razemba, Senior Reporter POLICE are searching for several victims based outside Zimbabwe to help investigate cases involving Walter Magaya, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, who was recently arrested on charges of rape, assault and fraud, as inquiries intensify. The […]
POLICE are searching for several victims based outside Zimbabwe to help investigate cases involving Walter Magaya, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, who was recently arrested on charges of rape, assault and fraud, as inquiries intensify.
The arrest was conducted in a dawn operation by a police crack team.
Some of the alleged victims are in Zimbabwe, South Africa, United Kingdom, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, among other countries.
Walter Magaya and his wife Tendai Magaya, who was also arrested, have since appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa on charges of fraud.
The couple is jointly charged with their company, Planet Africa, which is being represented in court by Mr Tendai Chinguwa.
Commissioner Paul Nyathi
Magaya, who is facing five counts of rape and 13 counts of fraud involving some residential stands, has been remanded in custody while his wife Tendai, was granted bail.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that investigations were still in progress.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has taken note of several calls from people all over the world on how to report rape, assault and fraud allegations against PHD Ministries’ Walter Magaya.
“Please take note that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has availed cellphone number 0776830226, National Complaints number (0242) 703631 and WhatsApp number, 0712800197 for anyone to freely report and allow the Zimbabwe Republic Police to conduct investigations.
“Victims in Zimbabwe, South Africa, United Kingdom, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia or any country are urged to feel free to report. For those victims in South Africa, please feel free to go to the local police station to report and have your statement notarised and formally submitted to the Zimbabwean Embassy,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi said the police was also warning individuals and syndicates trying to interfere with investigations or threaten witnesses that they risk being arrested for defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has also cautioned individuals and groups, including social media platforms, such as Cozwa and Crime Watch Zimbabwe, against publishing individual officers’ and investigators’ personal cellphone numbers or contact details.
Victims or witnesses are urged to utilise the numbers given above and quickly report anyone issuing threats, harassment or intimidation.
According to the State, Magaya’s alleged sexual offences date back to 2013, when he met one of the complainants, who was reportedly ill at the time and sought prayers from him.
It is alleged that after her recovery, Magaya began making sexual advances towards her, frequently sending her messages and making unfulfilled promises, including an offer to send her abroad for further education.
On the first count of rape, the court heard that Magaya invited the complainant to a hotel, where she allegedly found him naked before being sexually assaulted.
The court further heard that the same complainant was allegedly raped on two additional occasions.
On the second count, Magaya is accused of raping another complainant, who was 32 years old at the time, in 2018.
The court was told that the PHD leader had informed the woman’s mother that he intended to take her daughter to South Africa to purchase machinery and raw materials for a business venture.
It is alleged that Magaya purchased an air ticket for the complainant under that pretext; however, the trip allegedly turned into a case of sexual abuse, with Magaya reportedly assaulting her with the assistance of his bodyguards.
The court also heard that Magaya allegedly raped the same complainant again in October 2018, after inviting her to his Marlborough offices in Harare for a supposed business meeting.
According to court documents, the complainant attempted to report the matter in 2018 at Waterfalls Police Station and Harare Central Police Station, but the reports were allegedly suppressed due to Magaya’s influence.
