Chakwera assures to find out issues involving ‘Major 1’ Bushiri in South Africa
President Lazarus Chakwera has assured Malawians that his government will find out what is happening to Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s problematic stay in South Africa.
Chakwera made the comment on Sunday night in Mzuzu while meeting with local traditional leaders.
One of the chiefs had asked Chakwera to investigate what is happening to Bushiri in South Africa and, if needs be, government must step in to help the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church leader return to Malawi.
In response, Chakwera said: “Thank you so much for the question. I cannot give a full response now as matters are still in court; but I can assure you that I will follow up and find out everything and inform the nation.”
Bushiri also known as ‘Major 1’ or ‘Papa’ by ECG Church worshippers was arrested on last month, kept in custody for over two weeks something which riled the Malawian public, asking government to intervene.
Some members of civil society and faith groups recently asked government to intervene in the ongoing legal battles facing South Africa-based Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri and bring him back home.
Malawi Watch executive director Billy Banda and Anthony Mukumbwa—a commissioner of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and a close friend of Bushiri—alleged that Bushiri was being targeted by investigating agencies and receiving unfair treatment from the legal system in South Africa.
Said Banda: “We are not saying that the Bushiris are guilty or not, that is for the courts to decide. The courts must give the Bushiris a trial in a manner that is fair, just and impartial. At the same time, they [Bushiris] must enjoy the status of being innocent until proven guilty.”
He said the Malawi Government should intervene in the saga because Bushiri holds a diplomatic passport; hence, the South African authorities were in breach of international conventions on diplomatic relations.
The ECG leader is renowned for humanitarian works in the country and recently revealed that he will scale up humanitarian works in the country, especially in food security, as part of his contribution to supporting the Chakwera administration.
Meanwhile, Malawi government has confirmed the diplomatic passport which Bushiri holds is genuine and was dully granted.
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Iam happy he is now here in Malawi’ he was not treated well and his life was at lisk..
so many important issues for the presidents to discuss other than that bushiti thing. bushiti is not God.
I am interested to know what the laws of Malawi says about diplomatic passports. Are they for diplomats and their beneficiaries staying in the foreign country or are they given to every Jim and Jack as they want to? No one is explaining clearly on this. Otherwise leave Chakwera alone because he has more important matters to attend to not wasting time on criminals.
If you are a Malawian and you are not aware of the great humanitarian works Bushiri did in Malawi , then you are evil. What’s wrong with Africa? Other countries will fight for their citizen when treated unfairly in a foreign land. What more a man whose passion is to lift up Africans? He deserves a diplomatic status. He’s done more for his country than and other Malawian diplomat.
You just know it’s a lie. There is nothing the president can do about this. Just because the president was asked and he had to come up with a quick answer. How come for the past two weeks we didn’t hear anything from the president or his press about Bushiri?
If there is somewhere in Africa where Bushiti can get a fair trial in court is in South Africa. The question had to be that, are all these allegations only allegations without any grain of truth in them???? The court of Public opinion gives verdict without facts. Id it really just jealousy???? And why now??? In court it’s where his name will be cleared. He is a Malawian son & Malawians have to be concerned BUT now if indeed he committed crimes then what should the president do????
I like the name Bushiti! It’s gonna stick. For now.
Tamuuzani azibwera kuno ku kaya.Wamwana kwa eni udya nthanga dzungu nulikhumba Iza waka nganya
There are lots of genuine problems poor and undocumented Malawians are facing in South Africa. Cruel xenophobia, for instance. But Papa is in no such problems. The charlatan was living off the fat of the land, swindling his very daft flock. Laz should not waste his diplomatic capital on such filth. Let Papa rot in jail. He’s brought us a lot of shame.
Eish!!! Hate