MAGAYA COUPLE’S CASE PUSHED TO DECEMBER AS STATE SEEKS MORE TIME

Prophet Walter Magaya and his wife, Tendai, will return to court on 9 December, after the State requested more time to finalise ongoing investigations into their fraud and rape case.

The founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries is facing 13 counts of fraud and five counts of rape, while his wife is jointly charged with him on the fraud allegations. The accusations stem from a multi-million-dollar housing project linked to their companies — Planet Africa (Pvt) Ltd and Yadah Connect (Pvt) Ltd — which allegedly prejudiced 13 clients of US$49,240 and R195,000.

Although defence lawyer Admire Rubaya argued vigorously against the latest postponement, insisting that his clients were prepared to proceed to trial, the court granted the State’s application. Rubaya criticised the police for issuing public statements about the case, accusing investigators of conducting what he termed “megaphone investigations”.

“Cases are not prosecuted on social media,” Rubaya said, arguing that delays were unfair to the couple and urging investigators to follow proper procedures instead of making public pronouncements.

Prophet Magaya, who was granted US$3,000 bail by the High Court last week, has been ordered to surrender his passport, report to a police station weekly, and refrain from contacting the complainants. Tendai Magaya was earlier released on US$500 bail relating to the fraud charges.

The pair is expected back in court on 9 December, when the trial is scheduled to commence.