HARARE – Pressure Mounts on Prophet Walter Magaya Amid Fresh Outcry Over “Anointed Apples” Ritual
Prominent Zimbabwean preacher Prophet Walter Magaya is once again at the centre of a firestorm of controversy, with growing calls for authorities to investigate and put a stop to what critics are calling fraudulent religious practices targeting vulnerable citizens.
The outrage follows the circulation of images showing Magaya praying over and anointing crates of apples in preparation for what he dubbed “Fruit Sunday” — a spiritual event he claimed would unlock “fruitfulness and breakthrough” for his followers.
In a post shared on his official Facebook page, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) described the apples as “prophetic mantles,” saying they had been taken to his so-called “Prayer Mountain,” placed in a special prayer zone, and consecrated by him personally.
“These are not ordinary fruits — they are anointed mantles, consecrated as prophetic points of contact, carrying the power of God for fruitfulness and breakthrough,” read part of the statement.
Magaya urged his congregants to attend the Sunday service and bring others, promising spiritual and material rewards during what he called a “Season of Harvest.”
“Make sure you are in church tomorrow — and don’t come alone. Bring someone with you to receive this free blessing and encounter the power of God in this appointed season,” he added, citing John 15:16.
However, the spectacle was met with ridicule across social media platforms, with users mocking the act of anointing apples as absurd and exploitative.
“Now we’ve gone from miracle pens to miracle apples? What’s next — holy bananas?” one user posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Others accused Magaya of preying on the poor and desperate, particularly amid Zimbabwe’s harsh economic climate.
“In a normal country, someone going through known bankruptcy proceedings would not be allowed to continue misleading the public unchecked,” one comment read.
Magaya has long been a polarising figure in Zimbabwean society. Despite attracting a large following, his ministry has often come under scrutiny for pushing so-called miracle cures, unverified healing claims, and monetised spiritual gimmicks.
Critics argue that religious leaders such as Magaya operate with impunity, exploiting legal grey areas and public desperation, while the state fails to regulate their activities adequately.
Human rights observers and concerned citizens are now calling on government institutions and financial regulators to intervene and investigate Magaya’s operations.
“There must be a clear line between faith and fraud. Vulnerable people deserve protection from deceptive practices disguised as religion,” said one Harare-based legal analyst who asked not to be named.
As public frustration grows, Magaya remains unrepentant — and in the spotlight — fuelling an ever-deepening debate about the intersection of faith, profit, and accountability in Zimbabwe’s religious sector.
