Faith, Football, and Fallout: Magaya’s Arrest Shadows Yadah FC’s Relegation Fight
Court Told Magaya’s Security Aide Is Active-Duty Soldier-Tapiwa Felix Chikondo
Prominent preacher and football benefactor Walter Magaya, owner of Yadah FC, remains in custody as legal troubles surrounding him and his family continue to unfold. Magaya, who faces rape and multi-million-dollar fraud charges, was remanded to November 13 by the Harare Magistrates’ Court, while his wife Tendai Magaya has since been granted bail.
Magaya’s legal woes come at a time when his club, Yadah FC, is languishing in the relegation zone of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, with only two matches remaining in the 2025 season. The “Miracle Boys,” as they are popularly known, are in danger of being chopped from the top flight after years of surviving by narrow margins.
Court Proceedings and Charges
According to court documents, Walter and Tendai Magaya are jointly charged in connection with a multi-million-dollar housing project that allegedly defrauded home seekers. The prosecution alleges the couple collected money from dozens of prospective homeowners between 2021 and 2023, promising residential stands that were never delivered.
Magaya’s wife, Tendai (41), was granted bail by Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, who noted that the accused had not fled the country despite being under investigation since 2023. The magistrate dismissed the prosecution’s argument that she was a flight risk.
However, Walter Magaya’s separate rape charge has seen him remanded in custody, with the magistrate ruling that the lower court has no jurisdiction to entertain bail on that matter. Magaya has since turned to the High Court to seek bail on both the fraud and rape cases.
Meanwhile, the preacher’s bodyguard, Tapiwa Felix Chikondo (34) — an active-duty soldier — appeared in court accused of assaulting police officers who attempted to arrest Magaya during the dramatic raid at his Harare offices on November 1. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleges Chikondo used force to obstruct justice, leading to his arrest.
Football Impact: Yadah FC on the Brink
The unfolding court saga has overshadowed Yadah FC’s on-field struggles. The team, once backed heavily by Magaya’s financial muscle, now sits precariously close to relegation. With just two fixtures left, Yadah are battling to avoid the drop alongside Triangle United, and Kwekwe United.
Magaya, long regarded as a key benefactor to Zimbabwean football, has previously funded numerous football causes, including financial support to the national team (the Warriors) during critical international assignments. His investment in football extended beyond Yadah FC, with donations to grassroots development, player welfare, and stadium renovations.
But with his current legal troubles and absence from club operations, Yadah’s stability — both financially and administratively — has been thrown into doubt. Sources within the PSL suggest that uncertainty over Magaya’s future have added to the players’ morale challenges.
At a Glance: The Magaya Case
Charges: 13 counts of fraud linked to a failed housing project; one count of rape.
Tendai Magaya: Granted bail after magistrate ruled she was not a flight risk.
Walter Magaya: Remanded in custody; to seek bail from the High Court.
Bodyguard: 34-year-old soldier Tapiwa Felix Chikondo charged with assaulting police.
Club Status: Yadah FC 17th on the PSL log, facing relegation with two matches to go.
As proceedings continue, Walter Magaya’s once powerful influence in Zimbabwean football appears to be fading rapidly. From funding the Warriors to running one of the league’s most recognizable teams, the preacher’s fall from grace marks a turning point — not just for Yadah FC, but for the broader relationship between faith, money, and football in the country.