Bail for PHD’s Magaya: $3000, Report Police, Surrender Deeds

Zimbabwe Court Grants Bail to Religious Leader Walter Magaya in Fraud Case

A Zimbabwean High Court has granted bail to Walter Magaya, the founder and leader of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, set at US$3,000. The bail application relates to ongoing fraud charges against the prominent religious figure.

The court’s decision on Tuesday imposes several stringent conditions to secure Magaya’s release from custody. He is required to reside permanently at his provided residential address and must report to the local police station every Monday and Friday. Furthermore, as part of the bail terms, Magaya is ordered to surrender his passport to the clerk of court, effectively restricting his international travel. He must also deposit the title deeds for his property in the Mt. Pleasant suburb of Harare as additional security.

Magaya’s legal troubles stem from allegations of fraud, a case that has drawn significant public and media attention in Zimbabwe. The charges accuse him of deceptive practices connected to his ministry’s operations. His arrest and subsequent bail hearing have been closely followed by both supporters and observers of the influential church leader.

The granting of bail allows Magaya to remain free while the criminal case against him proceeds through the judicial system. The specific bail conditions, including the regular police check-ins and the surrender of travel documents and property titles, are standard measures designed to ensure the accused’s appearance in court and prevent potential interference with the investigation.

This development marks a key procedural stage in the case. While the bail provides temporary liberty, the substantive fraud charges remain active. The matter is expected to continue with future court dates as the prosecution prepares its case and the defense mounts its arguments. The adjournment for trial will be closely watched, as the outcome will have considerable implications for Magaya, his extensive ministry, and the broader discourse on accountability for religious leaders in the region.

The court’s decision balances the accused’s right to liberty with the judicial requirements of a pending criminal trial, setting a clear framework for his conduct ahead of the next legal proceedings.