Walter Magaya Remains in Custody Amid Bail Delays and Threat of Re-Arrest
Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader Walter Magaya remains in custody despite the High Court granting him US$3 000 bail, amid reports that police planned to re-arrest him immediately upon release over fresh allegations. Justice Gibson Mandaza approved Magaya’s bail after Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa had previously denied his request for release.
As of Tuesday, Magaya’s bail papers had not been signed, with his legal team expected to return to court to complete the process. Sources within the state security sector indicated that Magaya would face immediate re-arrest upon release, prompting him to remain in remand prison. This extends his detention to 12 days since his arrest on November 1.
Magaya faces multiple charges, including fraud and rape, which carry the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. He was arrested alongside his wife, Tendai Magaya, and their company, Planet Africa, on several counts of fraud. Tendai Magaya was granted US$500 bail after the court ruled that the State had not demonstrated she was a flight risk, noting that she had remained in Zimbabwe throughout the investigation.
In a related case, Magaya’s bodyguard, Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, was granted US$300 bail after being charged with obstructing justice and alternatively assaulting or resisting a police officer during Magaya’s arrest at his Waterfalls prayer mountain.
Reports suggest that approximately a dozen heavily armed Criminal Investigation Department officers were stationed at Harare Remand Prison to re-arrest Magaya following his anticipated release. Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono indicated that tensions escalated after a police officer alleged that his daughter was among Magaya’s alleged rape victims.
Magaya’s legal team is expected to continue efforts to process his bail papers while authorities weigh further action in light of the new allegations. Former Mt Pleasant MP Advocate Fadzayi Mahere clarified the legal procedure, noting that Magaya cannot be returned to remand prison without due process.
“If he is re-arrested, he must first be taken to a Zimbabwe Republic Police station, where he must appear before a court within 48 hours to determine whether there are valid grounds for remand and whether it should be in or out of custody,” Mahere explained. She added that Magaya’s decision not to pay the US$3 000 bail deposit does not prevent the police from filing additional charges.
“His refusal to pay the bail deposit does not stop the police from adding further charges and bringing him before a court to answer same,” she said. “That process will merely be done from remand prison. He can be taken to and from the police station to sign a warned and cautioned statement and subsequently brought before the courts afresh in respect of the new charges.”
Magaya’s case continues to attract national attention, with legal and security developments closely monitored as the process unfolds.
