Prophet Walter Magaya Accused of Defying Court Order in US$420K Debt Case

Prophet Walter Magaya, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, is allegedly refusing to comply with a High Court order to settle a US$420,140.72 debt owed to GetBucks Microfinance Bank Limited. Reports indicate that Magaya has been obstructing the Sheriff of Zimbabwe from executing the court order, prompting the bank to seek intervention from Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General.

GetBucks has intensified efforts to enforce a judgment against Planet Africa (Private) Limited, Magaya, and his wife, Tendai Magaya. The bank claims that law enforcement has failed to provide escort services to the Sheriff, hindering the seizure of assets meant to recover the debt.

Legal Battle and Allegations of Non-Compliance

On October 9, 2024, the High Court’s Commercial Division in Harare ruled in favor of GetBucks, ordering Magaya and his entities to pay the outstanding amount with a 10% monthly interest from September 11, 2024. The court also declared that land owned by Planet Africa, which houses Magaya’s Heart Stadium and hotel, was subject to execution to recover the debt.

Following this ruling, GetBucks instructed the Sheriff to execute the writ of execution at Planet Africa’s Waterfalls address and the Magayas’ Mount Pleasant residence in November 2024. However, officers were reportedly denied entry to both locations.

Despite requesting police assistance from Waterfalls and Marlborough Police Stations, GetBucks claims law enforcement failed to provide the necessary escort. While an initial agreement was made for January 10, 2025, later postponed to January 16, 2025, officers were ultimately not deployed, frustrating attempts to enforce the court ruling.

Legal Pressure Mounts on Magaya and Authorities

GetBucks has accused the Officer in Charge at Waterfalls Police Station of failing to act despite multiple follow-ups. The bank has since escalated the matter, submitting a formal request to the ZRP Commissioner-General to intervene and ensure compliance with the law.

In a strongly worded statement, GetBucks’ legal representatives, Danziger and Partners, warned that the ZRP’s inaction undermines judicial authority. They also threatened to file urgent mandamus proceedings against law enforcement officials neglecting their duties and contempt of court proceedings against Magaya and those who blocked the Sheriff’s access.

A complaint has also been filed against individuals preventing the Sheriff from enforcing the order, citing Section 184(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which criminalizes obstructing an officer of the court.

“Our client is of the view that if the ZRP cannot assist, then this is a cause for law reform to allow the Sheriff to use private security nominated by the judgment creditors,” GetBucks stated.

Magaya’s Legal Woes and Growing Scrutiny

This latest development adds to a series of legal troubles faced by Magaya. His Heart Stadium, which was inaugurated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December 2024, has been promoted as a state-of-the-art sports facility. However, its financial status is now under scrutiny as part of the debt recovery process.

Beyond financial disputes, Magaya has also faced allegations of fraud and sexual misconduct. The Zimbabwe Gender Commission is currently investigating claims of sexual abuse against him, further compounding his legal troubles.

With increasing pressure on authorities to act, the case is set to test the judiciary’s ability to enforce rulings against high-profile figures in Zimbabwe.