HARARE, Jan. 26 (NewsDay Live) – PHD Ministries founder Walter Magaya is back in remand prison after he was arrested this morning and charged with fresh rape allegations.
Magaya was arrested by detectives as he was leaving court soon after he made an application for refusal of further remand on previous rape allegations before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa. He subsequently appeared before Harare magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni, facing four new counts of rape.
He had been out on US$3 000 bail in connection with separate fraud and rape allegations.
In the latest case, the State alleges that the self-proclaimed prophet forced himself on one of his congregants, who was part of a marketing team that was promoting his book, Proceeding in Pain.
He was advised to apply to the High Court for bail.
Through his lawyers, Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza, Magaya expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the State has handled the case, claiming he was being targeted and abused by the police.
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“The police are abusing their powers; the law is being misapplied in this case. If the intention is to go to trial, why are they arresting to investigate? Should they not investigate before arresting?” Rubaya submitted.
In opposing Magaya’s bail application, the State argued that he was facing serious charges.
Prosecutors contended that the issues raised by his lawyers were immaterial, asserting that his arrest was lawful and that he had not been over-detained.
The State also noted that Magaya was already facing four other counts of rape.