Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
HARARE – Embattled Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Prophet Walter Magaya has offered to repay a US$3 million debt in local currency, following a High Court order two weeks ago mandating payment to an Israeli businessman with interest.
Justice Maxwell Takuva ruled against Magaya on February 21, 2026, ordering him to repay the full amount plus 3% monthly compounded interest from July 1, 2022, in a case filed under HC 621/23 . The order also includes provisions to make immovable property executable to satisfy the obligation if necessary .
According to court documents, the dispute arose from a May 2022 memorandum of agreement under which a group of Israeli investors, facilitated by Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Israel, Ambassador Ronny Levi Musan, advanced funds to Magaya for a joint gold mining project . The agreement stipulated that Magaya would receive 57% shares while the Israeli partners would hold 43%.
However, the PHD Ministries founder allegedly failed to fulfill the agreement, disappeared, and changed his cellphone numbers, according to reports . In a surprising development, Magaya later allegedly offered the Consul General $500,000 of the US$3 million.
Represented by Advocate Garikai Sithole, Magaya argued that the agreement violated sections 4 and 11 of Zimbabwe’s exchange control regulations, making it unenforceable . He further proposed repaying the debt in local currency rather than in U.S. dollars—a suggestion strongly opposed by Ambassador Musan.
Advocate Tazorora Musarurwa, representing Musan, maintained that the funds were provided for a legitimate investment and that exchange control laws did not apply to foreign nationals providing capital from abroad .
Justice Takuva dismissed Magaya’s preliminary objections, ruling that “exchange control regulations apply only to Zimbabwean residents” and that Magaya “failed to prove illegality and has not shown any violation of Zimbabwean law by the plaintiff” .
The judge further held that Magaya was “estopped from claiming illegality as he prescribed the payment method and benefited from it,” adding that “public policy is averse to unjust enrichment, preventing the defendant from profiting unjustly from US$3,000,000.00” .
Advocate Musarurwa warned during proceedings that accepting Magaya’s argument could discourage foreign investment and create a dangerous precedent allowing local businesses to evade obligations through technical legal arguments .
The Israeli business partner’s legal team has requested full repayment of the US$3 million, with interest at 3% per month, compounded monthly, from July 1, 2022, until the debt is settled .
In his ruling, Justice Takuva also commented on the contradiction between Magaya’s legal actions and his religious role, stating:
“The defendant’s conduct in this matter stands in stark and troubling contrast to the very scriptures he professes to hold as a man of God, pastor, and leader of a Christian ministry” .
The court further ordered Magaya to pay legal costs on a higher scale, citing abuse of court process .
The ruling adds to mounting legal challenges facing Magaya, who is also standing trial on four counts of rape involving adult congregants and facing fraud charges related to a church housing project .
Last week, law enforcement officers raided Yadah Hotel, a property linked to Magaya, and recovered large quantities of unregistered medicines, with the hotel pleading guilty to possession charges .
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