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The prophet Shepherd Bushiri confirmed on Facebook that he and his wife had fled to their home country, Malawi, after fearing for their safety.
FILE: Pastor Shepherd Bushiri (R), also known as the Prophet Bushiri of the Christian Enlightened Gathering (ECG), stands on stage as his wife, Mary Bushiri, speaks to the faithful during the Crossing of United Prayers at FNB Stadium in Soweto on January 1, 2020. Image: AFP
JOHANNESBURG – Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, said on Saturday they had fled the country for Malawi, in defiance of their strict conditions of bail.
The leader of the Gathering Illuminated Christian Church (ECG) and his wife were arrested in October for fraud, theft and money laundering worth more than 100 million rand, along with their three co-defendants.
The couple were released on bail of 200,000 rand each more than a week ago by the Pretoria Magistrates Court.
Bushiri confirmed on Facebook that he and his wife had fled to their home country of Malawi after fearing for their safety. The Hawks also confirmed that they did not report to the nearest police station on Friday as required by their bond conditions.
• READ ALSO: Court hears that Bushiri has a diplomatic passport but is not a diplomat
Bushiri has filed five lawsuits with the South African government, including the recusal of those involved in his trial from investigators to prosecutors. He called on the Malawian government to liaise with the South African government to ensure their demands are met.
“Once these five issues are resolved and I am assured of a fair, just and impartial trial, I am ready to appear before the South African judicial system,” Bushiri said in his Facebook post.
These are Bushiri’s demands on the South African government:
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The South African government should guarantee the couple their safety and protection if they return to the country.
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The government must assure them that their bond will not be revoked, despite challenging their bond conditions.
“Our right to a fair trial means that we have access to our lawyers at all times. The revocation of the bond nullifies our right to a fair trial and also exposes us to greater security challenges, ”said Bushiri.
- Police officers involved in the investigation, arrest and prosecution of the Bushiris should recuse themselves.
“This is the same team that I filed a complaint against earlier and also opened cases against. I will not have a fair trial with your continued participation, ”said the self-proclaimed prophet.
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The South African government must ensure that all complaints filed and opened against the officers are investigated before proceeding with the case against them.
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The South African government should appoint “independent and professional investigators and prosecutors who should make independent decisions about the cases with which we are allegedly charged.”
WATCH: ‘We support our mom and dad’: Bushiri supporters protest their release
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