Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
HARARE – Controversial clergyman and leader of PHD Ministries, Walter Magaya, was taken back into custody on Monday after being arrested on new rape charges outside a Harare courtroom.
Magaya was detained by police as he exited the courthouse, moments after his legal team had applied for the dismissal of previous rape allegations.
He now faces four additional counts of rape before Harare magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni.
This latest arrest comes while Magaya was already out on a US$3,000 bail related to separate fraud and rape charges.
According to the new allegations, Magaya is accused of assaulting a female congregant who was involved in promoting his book, Proceeding in Pain.
His lawyers, Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza, have strongly criticised the State’s approach, accusing law enforcement of procedural abuse.
“The police are abusing their powers; the law is being misapplied in this case,” Rubaya argued in court.
“If the intention is to go to trial, why are they arresting to investigate? Should they not investigate before arresting?”
The legal team insisted that proper investigations should precede any arrest.
However, the State opposed Magaya’s bail application, emphasising the severity of the charges. Prosecutors maintained that his arrest was lawful and that he was not detained beyond the necessary period.
Magaya already faces four other rape charges from previous incidents, making this the latest development in a series of legal battles confronting the high-profile preacher.
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