Prophet Shepherd Bushiri badly wanted by South African government
In the extradition case involving Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary, the State has appealed to the High Court to review the lower court’s decision of bringing South African witnesses to testify physically in Malawi courts.
According to spokesperson of Prophet Bushiri, Ephraim Nyondo, lawyer Wapona Kita representing the Prophet and his wife has been served with the order from the High Court calling for the file from the magistrate court for review of the order on the physical attendance of witnesses in Malawi.
“I have not yet been served with any grounds for the review so I can’t comment much. We will just have to wait as we are now on the receiving end,” Kita said.
On 29th March 2021, Chief Resident Magistrate Patrick Chirwa ordered that South Africa should bring to Malawi witnesses against Bushiri to testify and also to be cross-examined by the accused through their lawyers.
However, though the State, through Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Steve Kayuni, complied with the order and told the court they were ready, a twist came in when the State applied before the court to have witnesses testify through video conferencing citing Covid-19 fears, an application the courts dismissed.
The State’s application comes barely two weeks before the July 12th date the Magistrate set to resume the trial with South African witnesses in Malawi court.
The High Court has since confirmed that the date of the review shall be fixed within July 2021.
Prophet Bushiri appeared more than three times before South Africa courts to be tried but he was never given trial because the State kept seeking adjournment on grounds that witnesses were not ready.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s daughter, who was blocked from flying to Kenya to seek medical attention by Malawi Police, is in critical condition at a local medical facility, Maravi Post has learnt.
In a statement released on Monday by Bushiri’s spokesperson, Ephraim Nyondo, the flamboyant Prophet has pleaded with government to allow his daughter to go to Kenya for the medical treatment as referred by his doctor.
“I can confirm that on Friday, 19th February, Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s daughter was blocked from flying to Nairobi, Kenya, to seek medical attention. She was accompanied by three guardians. Prophet Bushiri and Prophetess Bushiri were not part of the delegation.
“The daughter, 8, was duly referred by competent Malawi medical professionals to seek further medical treatment and all required immigration details were in place to facilitate her travel through a chartered air ambulance. Up to date, my office hasn’t been supplied with any information as to why the child was denied the right to lawfully access medical attention after being duly referred by a competent medical practioneer,” reads the statement.
According to Nyondo, the child has severally been referred to Kenya for medical attention due to her medical condition.
“The child’s condition remains critical at the same medical facility which referred her to seek further medical attention in Kenya. It must be underlined that this was not the first time for the child, due to her medical condition, to be referred to Kenya for medical attention. The child has been flying there several times and I am shocked with this isolated blocking,” said Nyondo adding “I have strong belief in the leadership of this country and I am certain that it will positively consider our plea and request that the child must go and have medical care just as she was referred by the doctor.”
According to a passenger manifest form, which we have seen, the prophet’s children Raphaela and Israela, cousin Esther Bushiri and mother-in-law Magdalena Zgambo were expected to depart from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe last week.
The chartered plane, belonging to Phoenix Aviation, had landed at the airport and the four were checking in when they were stopped by airport security officials.
Few hours after the child was blocked from flying to Kenya, Malawi Police issued a warrant of arrest for Prophet Bushiri and Prophetess Mary Bushiri, who are in the country after jumping bail in the Republic of South Africa where they were answering charged of fraud and money laundering.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—In a clear demonstration of love for their own brother and sister, hundreds of Malawians have spent a night outside a police station in Lilongwe where Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and Prophetess Mary Bushiri are being kept after surrendering themselves to the law enforcers on Wednesday.
The development comes amid calls from human rights groups across the country for immediate release of the man of God, who is together with his wife answering charges of fraud and money laundering in South Africa.
Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary have spent a night in police custody following their arrest on Wednesday morning in Lilongwe.
The couple presented themselves to law enforcers following the issuance of a warrant of arrest by international police – Interpol.
Following their arrest on Wednesday morning, National Police Publicist James Kadadzera disclosed that the Bushiris were expected to be taken to court on charges placed by the Interpol.
According to Bushiri’s spokesperson, Ephraim Nyondo, the copule will in court today morning for their bail application and hearing.
The two arrived in Malawi last week after jumping bail in South Africa expressing safety concerns and the need for a fair trial.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary today morning handed themselves over to police at Area 30 in Lilongwe, spokesperson for Bushiri and Enlightened Christian Gathering Ephraim Nyondo has confirmed to local media.
Nyondo indicated that in his public address on Saturday, Bushiri hinted that he will be submitting himself before law enforcement agencies in Malawi, any day, to legally explain and defend his decision to come to Malawi to seek justice and that this is what he has done today.
Bushiri and wife Mary were on bail in South Africa where they are being accused of fraud and money laundering but fled to Malawi, his native country, a move he described as “a tactical withdrawal meant to preserve lives” while speaking to supporters on social media on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church leader has told SADC community and nations across the global that he cannot have fair trial in South Africa.
Bushiri has therefore pleaded for support against South Africa government to extradite him for trial in that country.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, the Man of God who insists that he is not running away from the case South Africa government has leveled against him but rather looking for fair trial.
“I am innocent until proven guilty. As of now, there is no court in the world that has proven me guilty. I may be subjected by media and public trial but I mantain my innocence until proven guilty.
“It is unfortunate, therefore, to have the Minister of Home Affairs in South Africa to intentionally and unfairly mislead the people of South Africa and the whole world in this regard. I cannot have a fair trial in South Africa”, says Bushiri.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) has assembled Malawi’s fine lawyers to fight his extradition to South Africa, a country he left last week on grounds that there had been attempts on his life and he accused the South African authorities of not offering protection.
Bushiri described his decision to skip bail as “a tactical withdrawal meant to preserve lives” while speaking to supporters on social media on Saturday.
But on Monday South Africa issued an arrest warrant for the controversial preacher who faces fraud and money laundering charges after he fled to Malawi, in breach of strict bail conditions.
Reacting, Bushiri has assembled local lawyers to fight the extradition and see to it that justice is being served.
ECG’s Director of Communications, Ephraim Nyondo, has confirmed to online publication that Bushiri has appointed prominent private practice lawyer Lusungu Gondwe from Ritz Attorneys at Law as lead lawyers, Noel Chalamanda from Knight and Knight and Bright Theu from Nicholls and Brookes as the legal team in a long-shot strategy.
According to Nyondo, the team will work Bushiri’s South African lawyers to solidify his quest for justice in the current cases of fraud and money laundering leveled against him and his wife, Mary.
Shepherd Bushiri, a self-proclaimed prophet known for his “miracles” and wildly extravagant lifestyle, was granted bail in South Africa where he lives, in a case of alleged fraud and money laundering.
On arrival last week Saturday Bushiri held a press briefing saying he had fled South Africa to seek the Malawi Government’s intervention over the trial he is facing in South Africa. He asked the Malawi government to intervene for his safety.
But Kampondeni said Chakwera will not be involved in the issue concerning Bushiri’s presence in Malawi because it is the domain of the country’s law enforcement agencies.
“President Lazarus Chakwera will not be involved because it has nothing to do with him, will not hold a meeting with anybody on the issue and will not grant any favours because it is not his domain to grant favours and he will not issue directives. President Chakwera will let law enforcers do their job in accordance with the law,” he said.
Kampondeni noted that the South African Government has started the process of extraditing Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri but said State House has no answers on what the law enforcement will do about the extradition request and the presence of Bushiri in Malawi.
Meanwhile, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has confirmed that in 2018, a case of alleged police corruption/cash extortion was opened by Bushiri’s lawyer on his behalf in Sunnyside, Pretoria.
It is alleged that the police officers investigating several allegations of rape against Bushiri were trying to extort money from Bushiri so that they make his rape charges disappear.
“Mr Bushiri, through his lawyer reported the alleged police corruption to IPID, as part of the investigation process, IPID required Bushiri to provide crucial information about the allegations and to acquire witness statements but Mr Bushiri’s non availability due to his busy schedule has been giving IPID Investigators a challenge to proceed with this case.
“As such, his poor co-operation, busy schedule and non availability has stalled the investigation process as crucial information required to proceed with the investigation process is not forthcoming from him as the victim in this matter. Mr Bushiri has been provided with feedback on the matter, he is well aware that the Investigator will proceed with his case as soon as he co-operates fully with investigation process,” reads the statement.
He is co-accused along with his wife, Mary Bushiri.
Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) who has earned himself a reputation worldwide as a true man of God with succinct prophecies is in custody again together with his wife Prophetess Mary Bushiri.
According to ECG communications director, Ephraim Nyondo, the Hawks arrested Bushiri’s wife on Monday morning and Bushiri went straight to the Hawks’ office to hand over himself to the crime investigators upon learning his wife’s arrest.
Initially, the Hawks informed lawyers of Prophet Bushiri and Prophetess Mary Bushiri late Monday afternoon that the couple should go to their office by 11am accompanied by their lawyers to discuss an issue concerning a certain investment but surprisingly the police invaded Bushiri’s residence before the appointment time and arrested the Prophetess.
“We are told as the Prophet and lawyers were getting prepared for the 11am appointment, the Hawks went to their house before the 11am appointment and arrested the Prophet’s wife alone.
“We are told the Prophet is on his way to the Hawks office to hand over himself. He believes in the justice system of the country and he will abide to all what the law compels until all this war is done.
As the matter is still currently under criminal investigation, we have been advised not to discuss this matter any further,” said Nyondo in a statement released on Tuesday.
The arrest comes few days after the Hawks, led by three State prosecutors, failed to give Bushiri and his wife a trial on accounts of still gathering evidence in a case in which the couple is accused of fraud and money laundering.
Bushiri made a brief virtual appearance at the High Court in Pretoria on Friday on charges of fraud, money laundering and the contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca).
Bushiri’s wife, Mary Bushiri, is also facing the charges for offences the couple allegedly committed from 2015.
One of the charges relates to exchange control regulations and involves foreign currency of $1 147 200 (around R15 million at the time).
Following a July postponement of the matter to 16 October, Bushiri said he was ready to clear his name.
Bushiri claimed at the time that prosecutors applied for the court to postpone the trial till next year July because their 29 witnesses refused to come to court because of Covid-19.
He was opposed to the postponement to next year, saying he and his wife “have been remanded for over a year already”.
Bushiri and wife, Mary, were arrested in February 2019 by a team of 16 white officers from the Hawks on fraud and money laundering accusation.
Bushiri questioned then how the state kept asking for more time when it claimed to have had evidence against him and his wife, adding that the July postponement was unfair considering that his lawyers were ready to proceed.
The Hawks, a South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) which targets organized crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crime referred to it by the President or the South African Police Service (SAPS, has, not once or twice but four times, failed to give Bushiri and his wife a trial on the first charges on grounds that they are not ready with evidence.
Now, having Bushiri and his wife arrested again on fresh charges, one would be persuaded by Bushiri’s earlier allegations that the Hawks are in an organized scheme to torment the man of God so as to force him to succumb to their financial demands through extortion.
It is increasingly becoming more apparent that there are some corrupt and unscrupulous officers within the Hawks who are advancing their personal interests at the expense of the innocent man of God, who also happens to be a foreigner, and the Prophet himself recently raised an alarm on the same.
Writing on his facebook page, Prophet Bushiri, fondly known as Major 1 or Papa among his followers, said there is a police officer from the Hawks, by the name Phumla Mrwebi, who for the past three years, has been running an extortion syndicate through sending girls to him to demand money and if they don’t give them, she told the girls to go public and accuse the man of God of raping them.
According to Bushiri, this Mrwebi woman incorporated journalists in the scheme.
Looking at the behaviour of the Hawks, Bushiri was on point and he is indeed a victim of circumstance.
Public perception
Following the fresh arrest of the couple, people across the globe are of the view that the Hawks are in a profession xenophobic attack against the Prophet. One of the facebook user, Neverson Washington Tsoka, says the Hawks’ actions are necessitated by “hatred and jealous” considering that Bushiri, apart from being a flamboyant preacher, he is also a successful Black entrepreneur who has an array of investments in the country and beyond the borders.
“South Africans are too jealousy to prosperous foreigners,” wrote Tsoka.
Ironically, most of the employees of ECG are South Africans.
Call for justice
As it is widely held, justice delayed is justice denied. The delay by the Hawks to give Bushiri and his wife a trial is not only putting the South Africa’s justice system in disrepute but also legitimize xenophobic attacks against foreigners in Rainbow country.
As part of their bail conditions, the couple’s travelling documents were also seized. The two suspects are mandated to seek prior permission before leaving Gauteng, South Africa.
In view of the above, it is unfair for the State Prosecutors to keep on playing delaying tactics as the couple is currently not living a free life physically.
As the Prophet has repeatedly said “We have faith in the justice system and we do believe we will get justice one day and will be able to live our lives freely,” it is nobler for the South Africa justice system to rise to the occasion and see to it that justice is being served in the whole process.
The judicial system must demonstrate that it is not captured by the thieving Hawks by expediting the proceedings.
The flamboyant preacher and founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has taken on South African police officers who wanted a bribe of R10 million (MK520 million) to dismiss cases the Man of God is facing in South Africa, his spokesman Ephraim Nyondo confirmed on Friday
South Africa’s elite police called the Hawks have been investigating the controversial Prophet for alleged money laundering which his handlers dismissed this week as mere extortion tactics to force the Man of God to pay up.
“Some intelligence officer demanded R10 million from Prophet Shepherd Bushiri in exchange for squashing all alleged criminal cases against him but as a man of God, he refused and they reduced the money to R5 million and later R1 million. When they discovered that the Prophet was not cooperating, they started making threats” Nyondo told The Sunday Times.
“One Captain [name withheld] called the prophet the day before and threatened to deploy a police helicopter to embarrass and arrest the prophet during church service.” he added,
Nyondo said that when the prophet refused to pay and the police sent the helicopter to hover around above the church, flying low and causing a lot of noise, almost disrupting the church service and everyone was curious about the mission of the helicopter.
“All these alleged cases against Bushiri were fabricated in order to extort money from him and to soil his good name and reputation,” Nyondo said
Bushiri has since opened a case of extortion with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) against crime intelligence unit cops. He also reported the threats to the crime intelligence inspector-general Setlhomamaru Dintwe.
Dintwe’s legal adviser advocate Jay Govender confirmed Bushiri had filed an extortion complaint with them and it was being investigated.
“We have received a complaint from Dr Prophet Bushiri. The matter is still under investigation hence we are unable to comment at this stage,” she said in a written reply to a South African newspaper last week.
Butshiri’s lawyer Ntsako Baloyi also confirmed that the clergyman had filed extortion complaints with the two law enforcement agencies against the suspects.
“The ordeal started during February 2018 in which one known as captain [name withheld] personally went to the prophet in the company of a few police officers and other individuals who introduced themselves as attorneys and advisers to the then deputy president of South Africa.
“The first group of cops wanted R10m from him to make his ‘cases’ disappear,” he said in written statement.
Baloyi said the amount was first reduced from R10m to R5m and later R1m, when Bushiri refused to budge corroborating Nyondo’s earlier explanation
Baloyi claimed that when the pastor refused to fork out the R1m ransom, he was subjected to a series of harassments and abuses.
“Captain [name withheld] called the prophet the day before and threatened to deploy a police helicopter to embarrass and arrest the prophet during church service,” said Baloyi.
Well, the Malawian political landscape keeps getting more interesting day by day.
Recently, Ephraim Nyondo, Enlightened Gathering Church (ECG) of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s Communication Director (because, yes, he needs a Communications Director), announced on his Facebook Page that ‘the cat is out of the bag’ and that ‘a huge, earth-shaking announcement is due to take place next week’.
Interestingly, one of the people who liked this post is Ralph Kasambara, (former Attorney General and Justice Minister), who accessorily is also a convicted criminal (for conspiracy to murder former Budget Director Paul Mphwiyo in a case dating back to 2013), whose appeal is still pending.
Kasambara’s colourful trajectory does not stop here. He is now alleged to be United Transformation Movement (UTM’s) legal advisor… (even though he vehemently denies it). Well, now the UTM did not look hard enough to find one, did they?
WHAT IS THE CONNECTION?
When Bushiri decided to leave Malawi during Joyce Banda’s tenure, in order to live his South African dream, he had virtually no capital, he only had a small church and a handful of followers.
Then suddenly, Bushiri became a celebrity, money was flowing in from every side and Bushiri actually became a billionaire.
Maybe it’s his prayers or his… evidently close relationship to God but what appears more likely is that Banda transferred some Cashgate proceeds to Bushiri, either to launder that money, to conceal it or even…to invest it. And let’s all admit it; The man of God, Bushiri turned out to be a very profitable investment for her.
It is a common secret in the political corridors that during Banda’s ‘reign’ in Malawi, Bushiri, Kasambara and Banda made a deal.
They concocted a financial scheme, as a means to hide Cashgate proceeds, to launder it and to ultimately invest it. Insiders claim that Banda and her acolytes devised a cash-based system to run the Cashgate affairs; Banda would send instructions with a signature bag (like ‘compliments from the President’), so as to prove that the instructions were from her, indeed.
The money was then dispatched or kept safe (and hidden) according to orders. Safe to say that they all benefited handsomely from this deal. Bushiri became an overnight celebrity billionaire, Kasambara somewhat bought his freedom, and Banda was bemoaning her fate… in fancy places, away from Malawi.
Here is a candid snapshot of the good old times, when Banda, Bushiri and Kasambara were looting the State’s coffers. Well, they do look happy, don’t they?
Cashgate Proceeds Ready for Dispatch: Chilima and Banda story
So, it is not a leap of thought to assume that something is currently in the works. It is hard to believe that the meeting between Chilima and Banda took place only because they share the same vision regarding the future of Malawi.
Incidentally, Chilima’s mother and Banda were long-time friends, since their days at Providence Secondary School in Mulanje. Rumor has it that that ahead of the 2014 elections, Banda was actually grooming Chilima for her running mate but the latter refused, to all appearances, because it was evident that Banda was not going to succeed.
But their erstwhile defunct political romance seems to be rekindled nowadays, mainly because Chilima realized the he -too- could have access to the loot procured by Joyce Banda and others during the Cashgate, in the pursuit of his presidential aspirations.
On this note, it should come as no surprise that Chilima recently defended Banda on corruption allegations leveled against her following the massive looting during her tenure. There is definitely something there.
So, is the trio Bushiri, Banda, Kasambara up to something? It appears that the UTM is more than willing to join forces with them. Then again, the UTM is so desperate nowadays, that it would be more than willing to join forces with anyone pretty much!
Especially those who have US$$$$$ in their pockets. Ephraim Nyondo’s Facebook post is definitely indicative of an ‘earth-shaking’ collaborative venture. Only time will tell.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of the Publisher or the Editor of Maravi Post
Archives:Shepard Bushiri Delivers Maize to Malawians
PRESS RELEASE: 02.04.18
Lilongwe, Malawi: President of Shepherd Bushiri Investments (SBI) Dr Shepherd Bushiri has announced a K15 000 000 support to the construction of dykes by the Salima District Council.
He made the announcement in Salima on Friday during the ongoing relief maize distribution exercise to families affected by various disasters. About 3 000 families benefited in Salima.
PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-The South Africabased Malawian Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, the founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church, on Monday disputed media reports allegations that his bodyguards blocked South Africa Police to access him on legal matters.
