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Hundreds of supporters of Pastor Shepherd Bushiri and members of his church Illuminated Christian Gathering (ECG) appeared at the Pretoria magistrates court to support their leader.
Bushiri and his wife Mary have been detained since October 20.
The Bushiris and three others have been charged with fraud, theft and money laundering worth more than 100 million rand. The charges are reportedly related to an alleged investment plan executed by his parishioners.
Despite the accusations against its religious leaders, Bushiri’s supporters were numerous.
Vongani Dungwa, who describes herself as a Christian but is not part of the ECG, says that in her opinion this would not be the first time a religious leader has been persecuted.
“We will not despair, we will continue to support another man of God,” Dungwa said.
The state had opposed the request for bail, arguing that the Bushiris were a flight risk.
The matter has been postponed to Wednesday, when at 10 am a sentence will be handed down on the bail request.
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