Pastors rally behind Bushiri

S

ome pastors in the country have thrown their weight behind Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, by calling on government to listen to their concerns that their lives are in danger in South Africa.

The pastors under the banner Pastors Link, Pastors Peacemakers Fraternal and Church Foundation for Integrity and Democracy said this during a media briefing in Blantyre.

They said there must have been something serious that forced the Bushiri’s to flee  South Africa last week just days after being granted bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court in their alleged fraud and money laundering charges of about K4.6 billion.

One of the pastors, Reverend Malani Mtonga said Bushiri being a Malawian was flying the country’s flag in the rainbow nation; hence, government must listen to his case.

“We understand that he [Bushiri] opened a case of extortion against some police officers and the same police officers are the ones arresting him. This matter needs to be checked where it is now. It doesn’t make sense that he has to be arrested by the same officers whom he opened a case against,” he said.

Since their arrival in the country, the South African government has been pushing for the couple’s extradition to answer their alleged criminal offences in the country.

However, in a televised address on Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Bushiri said he is in the country to engage the government on his safety.

Mtonga said government must ensure that Bushiri is well protected and follow his concerns with keen interest to ensure justice prevails.

During the briefing, the pastors also expressed reservations with the way Bushiri has been treated in South Africa, saying his security grievances were not addressed by the authorities.

They claimed Bushiri—who was also arrested on Wednesday by the Malawi Police Service following an Interpol request—survived an assassination attempt but despite reporting the matter to South African authorities, he was not heard.

The Bushiris were released unconditionally on Thursday by the Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court after principal magistrate Viva Nyimba said their arrest in Malawi was illegal.

However, despite the Bushiris walking to freedom, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court the same Thursday forfeited their R5.5 million (about K269 million) property in Midstream Estate in Centurion following his failure to appear before the court.