Court Hears How Magaya Used Gono’s Farm to Defraud Congregants of Over US$1.6 Million Explosive court documents have revealed how P...
Court Hears How Magaya Used Gono’s Farm to Defraud Congregants of Over US$1.6 Million
Explosive court documents have revealed how Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Walter Magaya allegedly used former RBZ governor Dr. Gideon Gono’s farm in an elaborate scheme to defraud congregants of over US$1.6 million. The details emerged as Magaya and his wife, Tendai, were remanded in custody on 13 counts of fraud and five counts of rape, sparking a fierce legal battle over the legality of their detention.
The Governor's Farm Fraud Scheme
According to the State's case, the alleged plan to defraud congregants began in 2016. Walter Magaya, acting with his wife and their companies Planet Africa and Yadah Connect, allegedly misrepresented that they had acquired land in numerous locations, including Chishawasha, Norton, Mutare, Bulawayo, Kwekwe, and Ruwa. The court heard this was announced during a church service broadcast on Yadah Television, where Magaya claimed God had instructed him to help members build houses. Pamphlets inscribed with "A vast land is out there and available to you" were distributed.
Court papers allege that in 2017, "to keep the defrauded complainants with hope," Walter and Tendai Magaya approached Dr. Gideon Gono and secured a one-season farming contract for his New Donnington Farm. Despite not owning the land, Magaya allegedly gathered church congregants who had paid for stands, took them to the farm, and misrepresented that he was the owner and the land was ready for residential development. The State alleges his wife Tendai, who was "in the forefront" of negotiating the farming contract, was present and "did not disclose" that the land actually belonged to Dr. Gono.
The court was presented with a breakdown of funds allegedly received through this misrepresentation. The documents state that Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries received a staggering US$1,600,000 and R5,000. Planet Africa allegedly received US$27,300, while Yadah Connect received US$21,340 and ZAR190,000. The complainants reported the matter to the police after discovering the farm they were shown was not for sale and belonged to the former governor.
The Courtroom Battle
The defence team, led by Admire Rubaya, launched a robust application for their clients' immediate and unconditional release. They argued that the Magayas' constitutional rights were violated as they were held beyond the 48-hour legal limit. Magaya was arrested at 5 a.m. on Saturday, November 1st, by what Rubaya described as "over 30 armed police officers" at his prayer mountain. His wife was arrested at 5:30 a.m. at their Yadah Hotel. The defence insisted they should have been released by Monday morning and were thus before the court illegally.
Prosecutor Clemence Chimbari admitted the couple was overdetained but fiercely opposed their release. He argued that the infringement does not nullify the serious criminal charges and that their proper recourse was to seek damages from the Constitutional Court. Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa ultimately remanded the couple in custody, with a ruling on the over-detention application set for Tuesday.
Before the legal arguments began, prosecutors successfully applied to have the five sensitive rape cases heard in-camera. This led to journalists and members of the public being expelled from the proceedings for that portion of the hearing. Outside, hundreds of congregants gathered in a show of solidarity, creating a chaotic scene that required police intervention.
Bodyguard Charged with Obstruction
In a related case, Magaya's bodyguard, 34-year-old Tapiwa Felix Chikondo, a corporal in the Zimbabwe National Army, appeared in court on charges of obstructing justice and assaulting a peace officer. According to a statement by CID Officer-in-Charge Washington Mashizha, Chikondo blocked the police vehicle with his sky-blue Nissan Dayz at the entrance to the prayer mountain. He was allegedly furious, shouting, "Makapinda papi? (Where did you enter?)" and insisting the officers had no permission to be there.
The court heard that Chikondo then charged towards Detective Assistant Inspector Munyaradzi Chifamba and pushed him to the ground. Officer Mashizha stated he intervened and restrained Chikondo, who was described as "very violent." The defence argued Chikondo was merely performing his duties at a boom gate and was unaware of the arrest. A ruling on his bail application is pending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Court documents allege Walter Magaya secured a one-season farming contract for the farm, then misrepresented himself as the owner to congregants, showing them the land as if it were available for residential stands they had already paid for.
The State claims that Magaya's various entities, including PHD Ministries, received a total of over US$1.6 million, as well as significant amounts in South African Rand and Zimbabwean Dollars, from the alleged schemes.
Both Walter and Tendai Magaya were remanded in custody. The magistrate is set to rule on their lawyer's application for release due to being detained for over 48 hours.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only.
The information is provided by Gossip Maestro using online sources and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose.
Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.