HARARE magistrate Francis Mapfumo has dismissed PHD Ministries leader Walter Magaya’s application for refusal of further remand.
Magaya made the application on Monday morning before he was arrested on fresh rape charges.
He will return for trial on February 2 this year.
Magaya had made an application for refusal of further remand on previous rape and fraud allegations before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa.
He subsequently appeared before Harare magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni, facing four new counts of rape.
Magaya had been out on US$3 000 bail in connection with separate fraud and rape allegations.
He was advised to apply to the High Court for bail.
Through his lawyers, Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza, Magaya had expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the State had 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.
