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Enlightened Christian Gathering church leader, Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, who is also known as Major 1, and his wife, Mary, will spend the weekend in custody after their request for bail in the Magistrates Court of Pretoria was postponed on Friday afternoon.
The couple will now apply for bail on Monday, October 26.
The couple were arrested earlier this week in connection with fraud and money laundering charges worth R102 million.
Bushiri’s legal representative requested the postponement to Monday instead of Friday next week, arguing that a request for bail was always urgent.
The magistrate had said that because the court was fully booked for most of the next week, the request for bail would be set for Friday, October 30, when the other plaintiffs in the matter were also due to appear in court.
Bushiri’s legal representative presented to the court that, according to case law, the defendants should not be disadvantaged due to institutional delays and requested that the bail request be postponed until Monday.
The self-proclaimed prophet, known as Major 1’s legal representative, said they understood the “practical issues” other matters had been set for Monday, but were willing to wait their turn, adding that the other defendant on the matter did as well. would do. be in court on Monday.
The state would have more than enough time to deal with the bail request over the weekend, Bushiri’s legal representative said.
The magistrate said she would grant the postponement until Monday, provided that the applicants agree that they will line up and wait for their matter to reach the court and are aware that there is a possibility that the court will not reach the request as it had to hear others matters.
ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Shepherd Bushiri’s supporters go to court to request bail
Bushiri’s legal representative said they understood and were willing to take the risk.
In his affidavit, Bushiri said that he intended to plead not guilty and that he should be granted bail, as he had no reason to flee the country.
He told the court that he did not intend to evade trial because, as a pastor, he needed to be vindicated and he believed himself innocent.
He said that if he was released on bail, he would submit to conditions set by the court, including not communicating with any state witnesses or attempting to influence or intimidate them.
In her affidavit, Bushiri’s wife said that she believed the state had no case against her and that she had never been actively involved in the business from which the charges stem.
Mary challenged the state to show how she participated in the crime for which she was arrested.
Following the arrest of Bushiri and his wife, Enlightened Christian Gathering church spokesman Ephraim Nyondo said in a statement that the Hawks’ attorneys had requested a conversation with the couple about an investment in Rising Estate, an international development company. and real estate investment.
“The Hawks informed the attorneys for our leaders, the Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and the prophetess Mary Bushiri, on Monday afternoon that they are requesting the couple to come to their office at 11 am accompanied by their attorneys to discuss a related issue. with an investment belonging to a company called Rising Estate, ”he said.
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