The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has instituted
investigations into Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder
Prophet Walter Magaya, who has been facing a slew of allegations of sexually
abusing women.
The constitutional and independent body, whose mandate is
to investigate possible violations of rights relating to gender and to receive
and consider complaints from the public, is inviting “any person or victim with
evidence or complaints” against Prophet Magaya.
The announcement was made by commission chairperson Mrs
Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe in a Government Gazette published yesterday.
“It is hereby notified that, in terms of Section Five of
the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Act (Chapter 10:31) the Zimbabwe Gender
Commission intends to investigate complaints of sexual abuse of women by Walter
Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries,” read the notice by Mrs
Mukahanana-Sangarwe.
“Further to the above notice, an invitation is hereby given
to any victims or witnesses to any acts of sexual abuse by Walter Magaya to
furnish Zimbabwe Gender Commission with written complaints, witnesses’
statements and any other supporting documents or evidence which can assist in
the investigation. Oral hearings will commence thereafter on dates to be
advised by the Commission.”
Section Five of the Act stipulates that before launching an
investigation, “the Commission shall publish a notice in the Gazette and in any
one or more national newspapers informing the public that, no earlier than 14
days or later than 30 days after the publication of the notice in the Gazette,
it intends to investigate any systemic barrier prejudicial to gender equality”.
Last month, Magaya made headlines in the media after an
actress Ms Charity Dlodlo accused him of raping her.
Interestingly, after some days, Ms Dlodlo made an about
turn saying the man of the cloth had never done her any harm.
She eventually apologised saying the allegations were false
and she had been used by demons to “distract the work God was doing” through
Magaya.
Earlier, some parents had claimed that their daughter was
raped by the prophet, only for the alleged victim to dismiss the claim. Herald
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