HARARE – Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries founder Walter Magaya has formally requested the removal of a senior National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) official from handling his ongoing rape trial, alleging bias, personal animosity and conflict of interest.
In an urgent letter dated February 17, 2026, Magaya’s lawyers, Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, asked the Prosecutor General to recuse chief director Tendayi Shonhayi from the case, arguing that her continued involvement compromises the fairness of proceedings.
Magaya is currently facing rape charges before the courts.
According to the lawyers, their client believes Shonhayi is a member of Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church (UFIC), which they described as a rival church to PHD Ministries.
“It is our client’s considered view that Ms Shonhayi is on a mission of her own to try and persecute him (Magaya),” the letter reads.
The defence claims this alleged affiliation creates a conflict of interest and undermines the requirement for prosecutorial impartiality.
The lawyers state that it is their client’s contention that Shonhayi “is not impartial in this matter as required by the law for a prosecutor” and accuse her of pursuing a “personal agenda emanating from her personal hatred against both the accused person and his church.”
“It is therefore not in the interests of justice that she is allowed to continue being part of the prosecuting team, given this background,” the letter states.
The lawyers further argue that Shonhayi is conflicted and should be recused, alleging she is acting emotionally and “doing the bidding for her own ‘PAPA’ in circumstances where she should be detached from the case.”
They suggest that if authorities wish to strengthen the prosecution team, another prosecutor “who does not have vested interests in the matter” should be appointed.
Magaya’s legal team also accused the prosecutor of making unilateral procedural decisions, including moving the trial from an open court to a victim-friendly court before the presiding magistrate had determined the appropriate forum.
They further alleged that Shonhayi previously prepared defective charge sheets and witness statements that did not include the names of complainants, contrary to provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. The documents were later amended after the defence raised objections, the lawyers said.
The defence additionally argued that Shonhayi has exercised undue influence during proceedings despite not being lead counsel, claiming she often directs arguments through lead prosecutor Clemence Chimbari.
The letter also alleges that the prosecutor intends to challenge the High Court’s decision to grant Magaya bail and had previously sought the recusal of Justice Gibson Mandaza in related proceedings.
The National Prosecuting Authority had not immediately responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
Magaya’s trial has stalled as he fights a prosecution push to have witnesses testify via video, instead of facing him in open court.
Magaya is set to take the witness stand on Tuesday to ask a magistrate to refer the dispute over the conduct of the trial to the Constitutional Court.
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