ECG Church says Prophet Bushiri and wife’s arrest on K4.6bn fresh money laundering charges is ‘war’: Couple to appear in court
South Africa-based Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary are expected to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria on Wednesday after they were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of being involved in a money laundering transaction amounting to R102 million (about K4.6 billion) along with another couple.
The Hawks, special crimes unit in South Africa, arrested Mary Bushiri at her home, whilst her husband Prophet Bushiri handed himself in at Silverton police station in Pretoria.
This is the second money laundering case that South African law enforcing agencies are pursuing against the Malawian church leader said to be the African continent’s wealthiest pastor.
Bushiri has been dogged by scandal and scrutiny since launching a prosperity charismatic church called the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG).
ECG described arrested of Bushiri fondly called ‘Major One’ or ‘Papa’ and his wife as “war” but said he would abide by the country’s laws.
The Hawks’ Colonel Katlego Mogale said in a statement: “Four suspects including a pastor aged between 25 and 39 were arrested for alleged involvement in fraud and money laundering worth R102 million.”
The Hawks added that its serious organised crime investigation team arrested the first couple, Willah Mudolo and Zethu Mudolo, at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday.
They have already appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates Court where their case was postponed to the end of the month for a bail hearing.
In a statement, Bushiri’s spokesperson Ephraim Nyondo said the prophet believed in the justice system of the country.
“He believes in the justice system of the country and he will abide by all that the law compels until all this war is done,” Nyondo said.
“As the matter is still currently under criminal investigation, we have been advised not to discuss this matter any further.”
The ECG church has since called on supporters to pray for the couple.
“Let us keep on standing with our spiritual parents by putting them in prayer. We wish to inform you that they are still with the Hawks, as announced earlier, but the hand of the Lord is with them, they are in high spirit and they have nothing in their minds apart from the thought of you and the church,” a statement on Bushiri’s Facebook page read.
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Apparently the scammer Willah Mudolo of Rising Estate implicated his business partner Bushiri. This doesn’t look good.
Money laundering in respect to not declaring ones income for tax purposes from donations and other income generated sources. Bushiri as leader of the Church is responsible even though the ECG Church has Financial Advisors and Accountants. With all the support the ECG Church has provided Malawi with food donations and more. Hope this proves untrue. Most false Prophets are accused of corruption where by stealing money from the congregation and the church which has not been the case even though Bushiri does live a very lavish lifestyle.
I once said some kind of the same to Mr Bushiri that was long ago, and i still remember some of my points raised on that piece of my writing to the man of God, and i said, Sir, you came to South Africa as a Missionary not as a business man, what i have seen here its like South Africa has corrupt your Ministry and now your focus is not on gospel but now the business you have planted in this Country, by a short of warning i had said to him, Never ever think that South Africans are… Read more »
This war will never finish mr nyondo….he shud just come back home like TB Joshua his people will be following him kwa eni kulibe mkuwo baba…
Let’s hope this is the beginning of the end of this mafia organisation.
Ace Magashule and his Free State goblet literally stole millions meant for rural dairy farmers. The money went to Zuma and Guptas. The State Capture Commission is revealing billions of rands being siphoned off through unrendered services. The Hawks can’t senior ANC thieves. Instead they focus on a foreign pastor whose job is to use religion to make money. Bushiri doesn’t take state resources, he takes money you give him and makes more money. Bushiri is being targeted as a distraction from law enforcement failures to target real criminals. Plus there is xenophobia there. Listen Malawians, don’t invest your money… Read more »
So to you, using religion to make money is ok?
It is a known fact that Bushiri is a conman, the fake prophet who faked an air walk. Fact is the hawks cannot find enough evidence to get him behind the slammers. La 40 lizakwana and the Bushiri dubious empire will come crashing down leaving the many followers astounded and nowhere to go.
I am surprised that the Hawks have run out of handcuffs. Sad.