[ad_1]
By Chad Williams 
2h ago
Cape Town – If you’ve just stepped off a spaceship and wondering what all the fuss is about surrounding self-proclaimed Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri, here’s a short synopsis of the events of the final weeks of unfolding history.
Born Chipiliro Gama, 37-year-old Bushiri, also known as Major 1, is a businessman and preacher who founded and leads the Illustrated Christian Gathering (ECG) church.
ECG’s headquarters are in the South African capital, Pretoria, with more branches located in other African countries and abroad.
On the official ECG website, Bushiri describes his church as a prophetic ministry based on the principle that God cares and loves people and wants to speak to them directly.
In addition to his ministry, the self-proclaimed prophet runs the investment firm Shepherd Bushiri Investments (Pty) Ltd, based in Johannesburg’s wealthy Sandton district, where he has interests in mining, real estate, an airline and other business activities.
Bushiri and his wife Mary are wanted in South Africa on charges including fraud and money laundering.
A week ago, the couple left South Africa under mysterious circumstances and fled to their home country of Malawi, in breach of the conditions of their bail.
A statement issued by South African Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the Bushiri had five passports each, issued in Malawi. Motsoaledi insisted that it was not her department’s fault that the couple fled South Africa.
Bushiri took to social media recently to maintain his innocence, while claiming that he did not expect to get a fair trial in South Africa.
After spending one night in police custody in Malawi, local media reported that a magistrate had freed Bushiri and his wife, saying their arrest was illegal.
The couple lost their R5.5 million (nearly US $ 35,000) property in Centurion, South Africa, after failing to appear in court in their fraud and money laundering case.
The Bushiris’ legal troubles will continue after South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola announced Thursday that his government would do everything possible to ensure they were brought back to trial.
New African Agency (ANA)
[ad_2]
