High Court stays proceedings in prophet Magaya rape trial
The High Court has temporarily stopped the rape trial of Walter Magaya, founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, while it considers a legal challenge over the handling of the case.
Justice Tawanda Chitapi granted the stay by consent on Friday following an urgent application by Magaya’s lawyers. Proceedings before regional magistrate Estere Chivasa are now suspended pending a review filed on 27 February.
Magaya, 42, faces three counts of rape involving women aged 21, 22 and 24. He denies the charges.
The dispute dates back to 16 February, when the trial was due to start, and the prosecution successfully applied to have the matter moved to a Victim Friendly Court and heard in camera. The State argued the complainants were vulnerable and could suffer emotional distress in open court.
Magaya’s legal team, led by Admire Rubaya, however, challenged that decision, arguing that the women are adults and that the court failed to properly assess their vulnerability.
They also said the move would limit their ability to cross-examine witnesses and undermine his right to a fair and public trial.
The trial had been set to resume on 12 March, but after the State declined to postpone proceedings, the defence sought an urgent stay, which was granted without opposition.
The High Court has since set a timetable for the review. The respondents were due to file their responses by 13 March, with Magaya expected to file an answering affidavit by 20 March and heads of argument by 27 March.
The respondents must then file their heads by 7 April, while Magaya is to consolidate the record by 10 April. The matter is set to be heard on 14 May.
Magaya was first arraigned on 26 January this year on four counts of rape, following a police call for potential victims in November 2025. Three of those counts are now before the regional court.
The charges relate to alleged rape incidents in July 2020 and in 2023 at his Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls, Harare.
