By Victor Fanuel
HARARE – Controversial clergyman Walter Magaya is facing heightened legal scrutiny after a police raid at his Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls allegedly uncovered evidence leading to a new drug trafficking charge.
This latest development adds to a widening list of legal challenges facing Walter Magaya, founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, including a multimillion-dollar High Court judgment and ongoing criminal proceedings.
Last week, police raided Yadah Hotel, a property linked to Magaya, and reportedly seized large quantities of unregistered and unapproved complementary medicines.
The hotel, represented by its director Donald Makuvaza, appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki, where it pleaded guilty to possessing unregistered medicines.
The case was remanded to March 10 for plea recording.
According to court papers, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Harare acted on a tip-off received on November 15 last year alleging that unapproved medicines were being stored in one of the hotel’s rooms.
A search of the premises allegedly led to the discovery of significant quantities of medicines, including antibiotics, antifungal treatments, injectable drugs and topical creams.
Investigators also recovered Compounded Prescription Weekly forms indicating that the medicines were intended for an individual identified as Happiness Mavindire.
Prosecutors contend that the hotel had no lawful authority to possess the medicines.
The development comes as Magaya contends with further legal setbacks.
The High Court of Zimbabwe recently ordered him to repay US$3 million to an Israeli business associate in a case registered under HC 621/23.
The dispute stemmed from a mining investment agreement under which funds were advanced by a group of Israeli investors, reportedly facilitated by Zimbabwe’s Consul General in Israel, Ambassador Ronny Levi Musan.
Magaya argued that the agreement violated Zimbabwe’s exchange control regulations and was therefore unenforceable, proposing that repayment be made in local currency rather than in United States dollars.
However, Justice Maxwell Takuva ruled against him, affirming the obligation to repay the debt in full.
The order carries interest at three percent per month, compounded monthly, from 1 July 2022, and authorises the attachment of immovable property should it be necessary to settle the debt.
Beyond the financial ruling and the medicines case, Magaya is also facing four counts of rape involving adult congregants, allegations he denies.
Those matters remain before the courts.
In a court application dated February 17, 2026, his legal team sought the recusal of prosecutor Tendayi Shonhayi, alleging that she is affiliated with a rival church led by Emmanuel Makandiwa.
The defence argued that the alleged affiliation constitutes a conflict of interest and raised concerns about certain procedural decisions in the conduct of the trial.
There has been no immediate public comment from prosecutors on the defence’s recusal request.
