Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder Walter Magaya will continue to languish in custody after Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa dismissed his application for immediate release, refusing a bail request over fraud and rape allegations.
Magaya, together with his wife Tendai and employee Tendai Chinguwa, had argued that police unlawfully brought them before the court after being held longer than the 48-hour limit set by Section 50 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution. Defence lawyer Admire Rubaya insisted their rights were violated due to the overdetention but magistrate Gofa ruled otherwise.
“All applicants were overdetained but such overdetention has no effect on their release,” she said, referencing the 2015 Mloyi and Madondo case for legal precedence. Gofa stated that while their rights had been violated, any redress lay with the Constitutional Court—not her bench.
Gofa further told the court that no bail application will be entertained in relation to the rape case Magaya is facing, remanding him in custody until November 13. For the separate fraud case, Magaya’s lawyer indicated plans to seek relief from the High Court instead.
New Ziana
