Senior officials in one of South Africa’s largest political parties have been condemned for visiting a self-proclaimed pastor who fled to Malawi after being accused of rape and fraud.
Floyd Shivambu, secretary general of the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party of former President Jacob Zuma, retweeted X-video of his participation in Easter service at Shepherd Bushiri Church.
Mr. Bushiri, from Malawi, was one of the most famous missionaries in southern Africa when he was arrested and charged with fraud in 2020.
After being released on bail, he managed to escape to his homeland without knowing it. South Africa has been trying to extradite him ever since.
Last month, a court in Malawi supported the extradition request, but Mr Bushiri, facing fraud charges, and his wife Mary filed an appeal.
Mr. Bushri was a millionaire who built churches in several African countries.
He is accused of preying on the poor, eager to improve his life by selling goods including “Miracle Oil.”
People who claim to be prophets, claiming to have cured HIV have made blind insights change the fate of poverty, aired at least once.
Mr. Bushiri was also charged with rape. He and his wife denied any misconduct.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi said Shivambu’s connection with Mr Bushiri was “a blatant disrespect for the legal system of South Africa”.
She added that this will “incite those who believe they can escape accountability.”
Shivambu’s own MK party also issued a statement that distanced himself from his visit, saying he was responsible for “in his own capacity, without party or knowledge”.
The party added that it “condemns all forms of gender-based violence and exploitation of vulnerable communities, especially innocent Christian believers, who manipulate faith to achieve personal fulfillment or escape justice”.
In a post on X on Saturday, Shivambu praised Mr Bushiri for his “excellent work.”
He wrote: “Thank you, my brother, the Prophet Bushiri presided over our and kind words.”
“The amount of work the government has done economically, educationally, socially and spiritually is now and historically unparalleled.
“I know that the leaders and people of Malawi appreciate and cherish so many large-scale plans you have done for the local people.”
He reposted the footage shared by Mr. Bushiri, which asked the self-proclaimed pastor hundreds of believers in his Jesus-National Church about South African politicians.
Under former President Zuma, the newly formed MKK party ranked third in last year’s election, a major factor in losing its majority since the 1994 Democratic election.
Shivambu joined the party from his rival Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) last August and was later appointed Secretary General – one of the party’s top positions.
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