By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Floyd Shivambu, a senior official in one of South Africa’s major political parties, has attracted widespread criticism following his visit to a self-proclaimed pastor who fled to Malawi after being accused of rape and fraud.
Shivambu, who serves as the secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, retweeted footage of himself on X attending an Easter service at Shepherd Bushiri’s church.
Bushiri, a Malawian national, was once one of Southern Africa’s best-known preachers before being arrested and charged with fraud in 2020.
After his release on bail, he fled to his home country under unclear circumstances, and South Africa has since been making efforts to have him extradited for prosecution.
Last month, a court in Malawi upheld the extradition request, but the self-styled pastor and his wife Mary, who also faces fraud charges, have appealed the ruling.
Bushiri, a millionaire, has been establishing churches across several African countries.
He is accused of preying on poor people desperate to improve their lives, selling merchandise including “miracle oil”.
The self-proclaimed prophet claims to have cured people of HIV, restored sight to the blind, changed the fortunes of the impoverished and, on at least one occasion, walked on air.
Bushiri has also been charged with rape. He and his wife have denied any wrongdoing.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, described Shivambu’s association with Bushiri as “a blatant act of disrespect toward South Africa’s legal system”.
She added that it would “embolden those who believe they can escape accountability”.
Shivambu’s MK party also released a statement distancing itself from his visit, saying it was undertaken “in his personal capacity and without the mandate or knowledge of the party”.
The party added that it “condemns all forms of gender-based violence and the exploitation of vulnerable communities, especially innocent Christian believers, by individuals who manipulate faith for personal enrichment or to evade justice”.
In a post on X on Saturday, Shivambu praised Mr Bushiri for his “good work”.
“Thank you my brother, Prophet Bushiri, for hosting us and for the kind words,” he wrote.
“The government-scale amount of work you do to economically, educationally, socially and spiritually uplift our people is unparalleled now and in history.
“I know that the leadership and people of Malawi appreciate and cherish the so many massive programmes you do for the people on the ground.”
