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African National Congress (ANC) deputy Boy Mamabolo has come out in support of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church leader Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary.
Bushiri and Mary were arrested last week on charges of fraud and money laundering worth R102 million.
His request for bail was postponed until Friday after the magistrate said he could not commit to hearing it in the next few days.
The self-proclaimed prophet and his co-defendants are expected to return to court on Friday.
Dozens of Bushiri supporters chanted in protest outside the court in support of their prophet, whom they want released from custody.
Mamabolo’s support for the Bushiris comes after the church issued a statement thanking those who have rallied behind the couple.
“The Church of the Enlightened Christian Gathering wishes to thank organizations such as Sanco Gauteng, #NOTINMYNAME and MP Honorable Boy Mamabolo for accompanying the Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and the prophet Mary Bushiri to their appearance before the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Monday for their surety.
“We value the position that these two organizations and our honorable Member of Parliament Mamabolo have taken, as it demonstrates their strongest belief in justice and unity. We also want to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to several other church leaders, civil rights groups, and other parliamentarians who have spoken out strongly in solidarity with Bushiri and Mary, ”the statement read.
After his court appearance, Mamabolo encouraged Bushiri’s followers to continue supporting him, also sending a “strong message” to Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, much to the amusement of social media users.
He said: “I am in Parliament because of you, so there is no way I can turn my back on you. Strong message to Dr. Motsoaledi, don’t believe the Department of Internal Affairs is yours. You are a minister there, the president can remove you at any time. Respect us so that we respect you. All church leaders in this country should be treated equally.
“We have been here since this morning, I am going to present this concern to the Minister of Justice, Ronald Lamola, to say that we come here in the morning, they postpone the matter. This is absolutely wrong. ”
Also read: EFF deputy Naledi Chirwa stokes controversy after video with Bushiri emerges
Internal Affairs is investigating the couple’s permanent residence status following the alleged discrepancies found in their permanent residence application.
Motsoaledi told eNCA on Sunday: “She [Mary] He came to South Africa for the first time in 2009 and obtained a visitor visa. He then re-entered the country in 2012 and submitted a permanent resident visa produced in 1997. Bushiri applied for permanent residence and made a declaration under oath that he entered the country in 2015 when our records already showed that he entered the country in 2009.. “
In August, Mamabolo had to apologize to Sunday World journalist Ngwako Malatji for the threats he made during an interview. This, after the ANC instituted an internal disciplinary process against Mamabolo. Mamabolo pleaded guilty to the charges and was ordered to attend an anger management class.
These were some of the comments from social networks about Mamabolo:
#Bushiri Boy Mamabolo, an ANC MP, addresses the crowd. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/i6a75OWB6U
– Great Magnus (@LielaMagnus) October 26, 2020
Boy Mamabolo is trying to be dramatic and attract media headlines with his #Bushiri trick.
– TlouB ???????? (@TlouYaB) October 26, 2020
I thought Boy Mamabolo was nominated by members of the ANC to represent them in Parliament.
He says he is in Parliament for Shepard Bushiri. ???? ♂️#Bushiri– Sonndi ???????? (@Sonndi_M) October 26, 2020
@GautengANC your MP Boy Mamabolo says #Bushiri put it in parliament.
His contempt for all voters.What do you have to say
– mamaDidi (@ofentsegabashan) October 26, 2020
Imagine married to your mamabolo boy ????????????????
A woman holding a knife in her hand ????????– skatie wa EFF (@Mmalenyalo_) October 26, 2020
Secondhand shame and ntirang @MamaboloBoy you’re embarrassing us. https://t.co/IrEhDO53TP pic.twitter.com/w9d5iqFg28
– Peace (@KhutsoRapudi) October 26, 2020
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