By Virginia Njovo
The Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader, Prophet Walter Magaya seemed not deterred by the disqualification and subsequent embarrassment he suffered as it emerged that he did not have five Ordinary Level (O’ Levels) that were required by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for one to contest for the presidency, which was ultimately won by Nqobile Magwizi on January 25 this year.
Magaya has continued pursuing renovating and constructing a number of stadiums across the country, with Mucheke Stadium mostly likely to be his next stop after Chahwanda in Kwekwe. He is targeting at least 10 stadiums.
The big question, however, is ‘what is Prophet Magaya getting out of all these deals?’ The man of God makes it appear like he is doing this for charity but the truth is he is getting commercial land in return.
Magaya was recently in Masvingo before he led a delegation of Masvingo city fathers and management to Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe where he showed them the on-going construction, which he said would replicate at Mucheke Stadium if they reached an agreement.
Masvingo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Daniel Mberikunashe confirmed to TellZim News that they are likely to give Magaya a piece of commercial land if they agreed on the deal.
Mberikunashe said Magaya had since communicated his intention to get land in exchange for the renovation of Mucheke Stadium.
“He said he want land but we are yet to decide because we want to first assess his capacity and this is one of the reason we went to his Chahwanda Stadium he is constructing in Kwekwe. We will only enter into an agreement with him once we are satisfied that he has capacity,” Mberikunashe told TellZim News.
Speaking to TellZim News during the tour of Chahwanda Stadium by Masvingo councillors and management, Magaya said he will commence work by May 01, 2025 latest once they finalize the agreement.
“Yes I was disqualified by ZIFA, but that will not stop me from building stadiums. I want to construct 10 stadiums across the country. I am ready to start construction work at Mucheke stadium as early as the 1st of May if we reach an agreement with the council,” said Magaya.
“It is my wish to see Zimbabwe hosting Africa Cup of Nations by 2032 or even the World Cup, hence, the need to build world class stadiums across the country,” he added.
Magaya said Chahwanda stadium, which commenced construction in December 2024, will be complete and ready for use by end of March this year.
Magaya is also engaging Kadoma City Council so that he can have a similar arrangement as the one he is striking with Masvingo City Council.
Kadoma Mayor, Councillor Nijel Ruzariro who was also part of the touring delegation said they can’t wait to partner with Magaya to construct a modern stadium.
“As Kadoma City we are ready to support Prophet Magaya. Rimuka Stadium will benefit the people of Kadoma in many ways; firstly it will be a major uplift for the City and it will be the first of its kind in Mashonaland West,” said Ruzariro.
