The Yadah Hotel Drug Scandal: Unregistered Medicines & Guilty Pleas
A comprehensive report on the pharmaceutical discovery at Waterfalls, the impending asset auctions, and the escalating personal criminal trials of Walter Magaya.
The Pharmaceutical Investigation
On November 15, 2025, CID detectives acting on a high-level tip-off conducted a raid at the Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls. Within a specific hotel suite, authorities discovered a massive stockpile of unregistered pharmaceutical products.
The seizure included Fluconazole, Metronidazole, and Clotrimazole, alongside intravenous supplies like sodium bicarbonate.
On February 24, 2026, hotel director Donald Makuvaza appeared before Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki at the Harare Magistrates Court. Makuvaza formally pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing unauthorized pharmaceutical substances.
The court has remanded the case to March 10, 2026. This admission of guilt is a critical milestone in the State's effort to regulate unauthorized medical activities within religious institutions.
Asset Crisis & Debt Liquidation
The Yadah Hotel and Heart Stadium are currently under threat of being permanently auctioned. The High Court previously ordered the sale of these properties to settle a US$420,000 debt to GetBucks Microfinance Bank.
Magaya has attempted to shield these assets by placing his company, Planet Africa, under "Corporate Rescue." However, creditors have petitioned the court to set this aside, alleging it is a strategic "sham" intended to stall the recovery of millions owed to local banks and international investors like Li Xiu Yun.
Personal Criminal Charges
Parallel to the corporate and drug cases, Walter Magaya is personally facing severe criminal proceedings in the Harare Magistrates Court:
- Rape Charges: Magaya faces multiple counts of sexual assault. The State alleges he used his spiritual position to lure female congregants into abuse, often at the hotel premises.
- US$3 Million Fraud: An Israeli investor has accused Magaya of defrauding him in a mining transaction that never materialized.
This is not the first clash with the Medicines Control Authority (MCAZ). In 2019, Magaya was convicted for claiming a drug named Aguma was a cure for HIV/AIDS. That previous conviction serves as critical context for the current 2026 unregistered medicine sentencing.
Current Operational Status
Despite the legal pressure, Magaya is maintaining a public presence. He is hosting the launch of the Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe this weekend (Feb 28). However, the focus remains on the judiciary:
Monitor the Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Will the Heart Stadium and Yadah Hotel be auctioned in March? Stay informed as the court delivers its final verdict.
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