Bushiri church says his arrest is ‘war’, but will abide by the law

JOHANNESBURG – The church of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, the Church of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), described the recent arrest of him and his wife Mary as “war” on Tuesday but said it would abide by the laws of the land.

Bushiri and his wife were expected to appear in the Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on Wednesday after they were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of being involved in a money laundering transaction worth R102 million together with another couple.

This is the second money laundering case pursued by the State against the man said to be the richest pastor on the African continent.

In a statement, ECG spokesman Ephraim Nyondo said its leader believed in the country’s justice system.

“He believes in the country’s justice system and will abide by whatever the law requires until this entire war is over,” Nyondo said.

“As the matter is still under criminal investigation, we have been warned not to look into this matter further.”

However, the Hawks noted that he had tried to evade arrest before turning himself in at the Silverton Police Station followed by an army of lawyers.

“The 39-year-old woman was arrested at her home and her 37-year-old husband, after trying to evade the team, turned himself in at the Silverton Police Station with an entourage of attorneys,” the Hawks spokesman said, Colonel Katlego Mogale.

The church’s cautionary statement, which was released before the arrest, said Bushiri’s attorneys informed them that late Monday afternoon the Hawks requested that he appear at their offices for investments related to a company called Rising Estate.

The other two people in the matter who were arrested on Saturday, Willah Mudolo and Zethu Mudolo, have already appeared in court. His case was postponed until October 30 to request a formal bond.

Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.