The leader of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, Walter Magaya, has appeared in court facing charges of allegedly raping a 25 year-old woman.
According to the independent Standard newspaper, Magaya spent Friday night in police custody and appeared in court the following day.
The newspaper reports that Magaya was arrested soon after conducting a midnight mass prayer in Harare.
Magistrate Vakai Chikwekwe granted him a $2,000 bail and ordered him to report to the Criminal Investigations Department’s Law and Order Section three times a week.
Magaya was also asked to surrender his passport to the clerk of court, reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses.
Like in most cases, the rape victim who is believed to be a student at the Midlands State University, was not identified.
The Standard reports that the rape case occurred at Magaya’s house and the victims was allegedly given money to silence her. The state claims that it has audio recordings of the event.
Magaya told the newspaper that he was aware of the arrest ahead of time, saying it was only a passing phase which he will take in his stride.
Magaya reportedly told congregants during the Friday prayer that there were girls in his church who had been offered money by his enemies so that they lay false rape charges against him.