High Court Judge Justice Gibson Mandaza has granted bail of US$3,000 to Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries leader Walter Magaya, who is facing charges of rape and fraud.

Magaya, who was arrested on November 1, had been remanded in custody after a Harare magistrate refused to entertain his bail application, citing lack of jurisdiction over the rape charge.

The decision to grant bail comes after Magaya’s lawyers argued that he was unlawfully detained beyond the constitutional 48-hour limit. Magaya’s wife, Tendai, was previously granted bail of US$500.

Magaya faces 13 counts of fraud and five rape charges related to a multi-million-dollar housing project that allegedly never materialized. His companies, Planet Africa and Yadah Connect, are also implicated in the scandal.

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