Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministry leader Prophet Magaya‘s trial kicked off yesterday, April 4, regardless of the State’s star witness Petronella Donhodzo Mandaza sensationally claiming that she was never raped and vowing not to avail herself to testify against the cleric.
In the recent court hearing, Prophet Magaya who is also a Doctor and owns Yadah TV pleaded not guilty to rape, unlawful termination of pregnancy and obstruction of justice charges before High Court judge Justice Amy Tsanga.
The State, led by Prosecutor General Ray Goba, who allegedly was forcing Mandaza to testify against Magaya despite her confessions that she was never raped and never fell pregnant at any stage according to her application last week, successfully argued against the defence team led by Advocate Thabani Mpofu who had earlier challenged the laying of charges saying it was defective as there was no criminal offence disclosed in the charge.
The State indicated in its summary of prosecution that it would summon at least eleven witnesses to testify against the clergy.
PG Goba also made an application to have the prophet given restrictions as he alleged that the accused had been interfering with State witnesses. Goba said Magaya was facing serious charges hence should have his bail conditions reinstated despite a court order terminating them.
Justice Tsanga ruled that the court order terminating Magaya’s bail conditions should stand because the State had no compelling case against accused in the matter.
Magaya is alleged to have raped the complainant Petronella Donhodzo Mandaza sometime in June 2015 before giving her a pregnancy termination pill to ingest. Further allegations are that the defendant, realising that the matter was being investigated, reportedly deposited US$100 000 into the complainant’s CBZ Bank account number 09124212590012, allegedly to interfere with investigations.
The matter is set to continue on April 25.
Source: The Chronicle
