The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) yesterday said it had uncovered a plot to interfere with court proceedings that includes bribing judges handling a case in which self-styled prophet, Walter Magaya, faces multiple rape and fraud charges.
Magaya, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, was granted US$3000 bail by the Harare High Court last week.
There were also social media reports, prior to the bail posting, that authorities planned to re-arrest him upon release on new charges.
The ZRP warned individuals and syndicates allegedly attempting to interfere with ongoing investigations and court proceedings.
The police said they were aware of intensified efforts to ‘defeat or obstruct the course of justice’ in Magaya’s cases.
According to the ZRP, a coordinated team allegedly led by Albertina Saikonda, reportedly operating from South Africa, is mobilising funds amounting to US$200 000 or more across Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Australia.
"The money will then be used to approach and compromise the police investigators, prosecutors, magistrates and judges, among others, so as to derail the whole criminal investigations and court proceedings," police said in a statement.
"The ZRP, therefore, warns individuals, groups and associates that they will be arrested as the law will definitely take effect without fear or favour.
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"The police is monitoring what is happening with a very keen interest for the effective maintenance of law and order and justice delivery.
"All potential witnesses should report anyone dangling any form of offers or cash or promises to the police for swift action to be taken."
Magaya was arrested alongside his wife, Tendai, and a company representative.
The fraud charges relate to an alleged housing scheme that collected thousands of dollars from congregants for residential stands that never materialised.
His wife is out on bail. The embattled cleric has already approached the High Court seeking to have the charges against him quashed arguing that his detention was unconstitutional.
In his application filed through Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, Magaya argued that he was held beyond the 48-hour limit prescribed by the constitution before being taken to court.
He said magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa acted “grossly irregularly” by entertaining the state’s remand application instead of ordering his immediate release in line with Section 50(3) of the constitution.
“The state’s concession to my over-detention removed any factual dispute,” Magaya said in his founding affidavit.
“What remained was a pure question of law — whether I ought to have been released immediately as the constitution commands.”
