Prophet Bushiri complaints of media blackmail: Rejects ‘Mutharika worships Satan’ report

Enlightened Christian Gathering leader Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has sent a formal complaint to Malawi media bodies after he has of late been subject to on-line media attacks.

Bushiri has claimed he has refused to be stampeded by some reporters who have been demanding money from the Man of God after being appointed AFRICCI president.

Recently, one of Malawi’s online platforms reported that Bushiri had preached in his church that “Malawi was sold to the devil and that [President] Peter Mutharika worships Satan.”

When contacted to comment on the matters, Prophet Bushiri’s public relations officer Kelvin Sulugwe told Nyasa Times that the Man of God’s sermon did not attack the Head of State and that the report had sensationalised the context of his message.

Bushiri claims one of the online news website is trying to blackmail him into giving out money to stop them from writing bad articles and that he has since reported the matter to media watchdog, Misa-Malawi.

“I must say that it is so unfortunate how some overzealous media platforms have resorted to blackmail the prophet into giving them money to stop attacks. We have the messages that one of the people owning a news website sent to the prophet and to me asking for money and threatened to use his platform to destroy the prophet’s image and he has vowed to do this until God knows when,” said Silungwe.

“All I can say is that the prophet is not shaken as these attacks haven’t started today. He has been subject to media attacks for years now and despite that, he continues to rise and transform lives. Its so unfortunate that these false stories end up confusing people who are weak in faith and being a spiritual battle, God fights for the prophet,” explained Sulugwe.

However, Sulugwe declined to give a specific name of the individuals who have been trying to dupe the man of God, saying such information will be shared with the media watchdog.

“I don’t think it matters if I stand here and mention their names because that is exactly what they are expecting to attack the man of God further. I employ you to take time and look at the recent stories attacking the prophet you will notice a greedy touch in the articles that have no basis in what so ever and they can’t even outline facts in a good order,” explained Sulugwe.

He continued: “Prophet Bushiri prays for them and he is praying for Malawi. He knows what he is and who he is. Never has he stood up in church attacking government or the president as reported by one of the papers .

“And talking of Bushiri’s appointment as AFRICCI’s president, we leave that to Malawians to see what will transpire as time goes. I can’t stand here justifying this appointment to people who have made up their mind not to see the truth and that’s not my entitlement as AFRICCI has its spokesperson.”

Bushiri was appointed president of African Christian Coalition for Israel Ltd, a newly launched Christian development charity organization that intends to give development grants to African Governments through its partners.

On Friday this week, Bushiri is expected to present a cheque to South African government.