Ramaphosa ‘angry’ as Mkaka met Bushiri ahead of escape: Malawi, South Africa in diplomatic spat
Reports that Malawi’s Foreign Affairs minister Eisenhower Mkaka met controversial millionaire preacher Shepherd Bushiri in South Africa hours before he fled to his native Malawi, is lending credence to the narrative that the Bushiri’s escape was aided by the government of Malawi top brass.
There had been allegations that Bushiri fled on Malawi’s presidential jet with President Lazarus Chakwera – something that has been denied by Chakwera’s office.
Chakwera was on a two-day official visit to South Africa and returned late on Friday as Bushiri announced his Malawi presence on Saturday morning.
Apparently, Mkaka met Bushiri in Pretoria hours before he skipped bail in a case of alleged fraud and money laundering.
Mkaka was only seen posting photos on Facebook of meeting Bushiri’s aide, Kelvin Sulugwe in company of President Chakwera’s executive assistant and communication director Sean Kampondeni in Pretoria.
According to BBC’s Nomsa Maseko, Mkaka reportedly received a phone call from a “senior South African official” who wanted to know how Bushiri ended up to Malawi.
Mkaka answered: “I don’t know. […] What Bushiri did was done in his personal capacity and received no help via official channels”.
He told Maseko that it is the duty of the government to protect all Malawians but added that President Chakwera is a staunch advocate of the rule of law and that all diplomatic channels will remain open.
A social media commentator Joshua Chisa Mbele posting on Facebook that Mkaka met Bushiri on Tuesday.
Mbele argued that Mkaka, who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) secretary general, has embarrassed President Chakwera as the issue could cause a diplomatic spat between Malawi and South Africa – as questions are being asked about how Mr Bushiri and his wife managed to leave.
“I’m here scratching my skull, what the hell Hon. Mkaka was doing with Bushiri or agreeing to meet him. What business was being discussed. If true, I ask the President to discipline Hon. Mkaka. It seems the Hon. Minister doesn’t understand powers and sensitivities surrounding the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” wrote Mbele, a known politician-cum-entrepreneur who has been a resident of South Africa.
He also noted that the twee of South Africa’s Finance Minister Tito Mboweni on allegations that Bushiri fled with the help of President Chakwera is “extremely damaging.”
South African media says the country’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa is ‘extremely angry’ over Malawian preacher, Shepherd Bushiri’s escape from the Rainbow nation on Wednesday.
Analysts say the decision by Bushiri to run away from prosecution in South Africa in what has been dubbed as the ‘miracle escape’ in social media platforms, might cause a diplomatic storm between South Africa and Malawi.
The Sunday Times newspaper of South Africa says the escape has left Ramaphosa extremely angry and the law enforcement agencies red-faced.
South Africa’s Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said the government would not hesitate to move to extradite fugitives.
Other South Africa newspapers continue to speculate that Chakwera’s presidential jet, which left South Africa on Friday mid night, was linked to the escape but evidence shows that Bushiri arrived in the country earlier before Chakwera’s return on Friday night.
President Chakwera’s visit to South Africa last week has been overshadowed by the escape of Bushiri from the Rainbow nation.
Bushiri, who is dominating news on all major mainstream media including the social media platforms, said there had been attempts on his life and he accused the South African authorities of not offering protection.
The leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church described his decision to skip bail as “a tactical withdrawal meant to preserve lives” while speaking in a live feed on Facebook Saturday.
An observer told Nyasa Times that Bushiri’s escape is a “complete embarrassment” and yet another sign of weak African institutions.
The observer said this would never happen in the West such as Heathrow Airport in London because the institutions there work.
“But the hero worshipping of the rich and famous that goes on in Africa has made this possible.”
The first photo of prophet Bushiri in Lilongwe surfaced on Twitter and was shared by former Malawi Attorney General Ralph Kasambara.
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You are all an idiots who writes wrong about your own president and SA President, If you think you have brain by talking your rubbish you are the rotten person in this world we live in.
If you want to know how Bushiri escaped from South Africa please go and ask him how did he manage to do so. he is the only person who has the answers for you.
To all Bushiri followers I want to ask you these questions (1) If I am innocent in all charges against me why then running away. (2) As a prophet as he claims what makes him to fear for his life since he is protected by God?
Please don’t tell me that
A person can be protected by God not only by prayer but also running away from an enemy
mwinithako ndiwe galu kwabasi. Alomwe mwaonongera dziko muja. Shupiti
Galu ndi iweyo. Why do think a blue black bitch like you can say anything about a lomwe. Iweyo ungathe kulamula dziko. Tenga nsabwe zako za nyau ukatsuke kubumbu kwakoko. Mahule a mu Assembly of dicks. Chitsiru. Stop making it about achewa and alomwe or what have you. You will come short. A chewa started running Malawi for 30 years since 1964 it still looks like Dambwe la ku Ntchisi mcp was notorious for imprisoning citizens nepotism and all kinds of evil.How many people did Mutharika murder, how many did he imprison detain without trial. Take your nyau piss and really piss off. If WE TALK ABOUT ACHEWA YOU COME UP SHORT. Ugly as f.
Only in Africa we don’t celebrate each other and help each other but rather destroy and pull each other down if Bushiri was a European we could have seen many Europeans behind him and supporting him but here is a black man and a Malawian coming for rescue to his home land and his people are saying he must be handled back to people who are after him sure Africans when are we going to change? it’s why we used to sell each other to whites time of slavery and that mentality is still in us i am not a Malawian neither Bushiri follow going to his church no but am surprised with Malawians wanting their country man to be taken back to RSA
These people did not win elections,but aided by judiciary which is dominated by Tumbukas and chewas who envied the Lhomwe reign.Now Chakwera and his Mkaka (Faeces) are caught with pants below elbows
We will aid them again in 2035
You hlomwes just have a spirit of tribalism and racism this is why the people of Malawi the central and north tightly voted against your mlakho government. How could you always not forget to speak about tumbuka people who only 55,000 registered for the votes role? Where do you put the nkhondes ,the tongas, the ngonis , the mzimbas, the tongas, the 12 tribes of chitipa, you need to repent from the spirit of tribalism . Even the story itself here is about how bushiri escaped from South Africa 🙄 not what tribe in Malawi you hate most. Chakwera is there for five years , after his five years term expires we will decide to whether he continues as our next president or not , the power is in our right hand toe.
Everyone Is the tribalistic. What is making your machende itch. You too can love your own. Who lied to you that you can love everyone except your own. Achewa they are the ones who are the most tribalistic until someone beats them to their game. Go and sit in dothi la nyau
Though I don’t support Bushiri, was it wrong for Mkaka to meet Bushiri? So if someone is on bail should not meet government officials? Is Bushiri being prosecuted for treason that it has reached a point where even his relatives or friends should not see and talk with him? Mkaka did right to meet Bushiri, he hasn’t been found guilty until proven in court of all. The fact that he is known for women and fraud does not take a way a fact that he is Malawian and needs government interventions.
It wasnt wrong for them to meet, yes. But it has raised eyebrows since Bushiri left after they had met, creating speculations as to what they discussed, which may/may not include his plans to jump bail. The timing of events is what’s causing the commotion.
Do you have evidence that Bushiri was helped by the minister himself ?I think you RSA people are just barking like dogs and your thinking is like that of a goat. I have never seen lazy shit like you and too much jelousy in you.You have taken the heart of Shaka Zulu always plundering other peoples cattle wherever he was going.You are lucky as RSA was developed by whites otherwise you would have been in deep slumber up now.
It is very sad how some of u think of South Africa. Yet millions of u are here in our country. If we are that bad why are you crossing countries just to reach our country. I thought the issue was about this charlatan Bushiri who must account fir his actions.
ok got you Tman but my worry is how some of you behave and you dont mind eliminating somebodys life thats why has been several attempts to kill Bushiri and he was insecure thats why he decided to escape using hokmah.
It’s really embarassing to read your response on this article about South Africans, and moreover you lend credence to the notion that foreigners in south africa should be treated with suspicions. And there are plenty of your fellow countrymen and women whom have sought refugee in our shores and have been intergrated in the local communities and unfortunately some die en-route to RSA hidden inside the fuel tankers.
Inenso ndili konkuno ku South Africa wowathawa ngambiri mbiri samakawatenga kapena kuwabweretsa musiyeni mwana wafika pakwao kuno moyo wake unali pachiopsyezodi. Ndichifukwa anthu amathawa. Inenso sindipita ku tchalichi kwake. Koma kulakwa analakwadi. Koma wafika kwao musamutumize. Chifukwa choopsyeza kuti ubale uonongela kuno kuli ubale?
MALAWI????? THE MINISTER AND THE JOURNALIST
i was shocked by the ministers response on how the Bushiris arrived in Malawi very unprofessional response.
My question is, what evidence is there to point that he really came back earlier than H.E?
Why is the state silent on this issue?
Why were there delays that both states are dilly dallying on what transpired that night and why was the H.E just calm and did not consult his colleague in SA on this?
Andale mumatinamiza and boma ilili nwayamba kulandira benefit of my doubts, kuyambira issue ya ku Crossroads, the Prado. Pano ndi izi.
You also have childish ministers in Msungama and Mkaka.
You have ministers who aren’t delivering, the likes of Michael Usi.
We voted for you to show us difference koma nkhani ndiyomwe ijabe, from nepotism to zero leadership strategies.
If you really uphold the rule of law let this guy go, azikakhala ku embassy after each court day, those are untouched grounds, musaikise miyoyo ya amalawi ambiri, ma business ambiri pa chiopsezo just because of one conman.
Iwenso nde galu weni weni. I thought the Presidential aicraft was thoroughly searched before departure. DPP cadet iwe, very foolish.
Ine sindimamsapota Bushiri chikhalireni koma zimene wachita apa ndiri naye ku mbuyo kwambiri pa zifukwa zingapo: Kulibe munthu uyang’anira muvi kuti udzimulowa mmaso imfa ikubwera basi uosathawa; akubera katundu wako basi uli chete. Ramaphosa akunama zikumkanika zambiri kuno tili konkuno ku SA monga kuphedwa Senzo Meyiwa 6 years ago akupangapo chiyani; The Guptas anathawa akuchitapo chiyani; azimayi akuphedwa kuno akungolankhula pakamwa pokha; katangale mu ANC ili phwi ikumkanika poti Bushiri wapita kwawo wakwiya chiyani boza lokhalokha manyazi amenewo samayembekezera kuti mu Malawi angapange zimenezo amationa ngati ndife opusa kwambiri kuno. Ndiponso ndi dziko lophweka kulibenso mu Africa muno pazochitika. Wanzeru ndi Malema basi salankhulapo chilichonse chifukwa saona cholakwika apapa. Sazabweranso kuno ku SA mwana ameneyo koma anthu awo azivutika ndi ulova ammene wadalemba ntchito adazolowera kupemphapempha ndi ulesi basi.
Bushiri planned his escape on his own without the aid of Mkaka, he did not need him. South African/Lesotho/Eswatini officials aided the escape
All this nonsense just to accommodate some fake “Man of God”? No wonder we are not a very progressive people. The man is facing the law, he has a legal team to protect him and can afford the best lawyers out there. So why all this nonsense from Mkaka and his friends.
“Never wrestle with a pig……”
Mkaka again, this arrogant idiot is becoming a nuisance now and behaving in manner that is not appropriate but more damaging for a minister specifically foreign affairs. President must immediately do damage control and remove this shithead mkaka. Bushiri is another scumbag and a shame to our nation. He must be returned to RSA and face law and rot in jail for rest of his life.
When a child does something wrong….we blame his upbringing and parents are at fault. On Bushiri’s bail jump in South Africa, I choose not to blame our President Chakwera nor Minister Mkaka. South Africa security system is to blame. They knew our president was visiting their country..and security system went to bed. Long live Chakwera. Ndege siyenda ngati minibus…kutola munthu pali ponse
Apparently on Wednesday Bushiri and Co accused went to the Police Station. And then enroute to Lesotho via the KZN boarder between South Africa and Lesotho. Everything was done smoothly. They bribed Home Affairs officials at the Lesotho boarder. The South African parliament has summoned the Minister of Home Affairs to account. They are cracking down who helped and was involved in the escape. When they got in Lesotho. Clearly he flew on private jet. The clearance must have been through the aid by this Makaka guy. Makaka means shit as in toilet in Nguni. Be careful of the shit it stinks.
The story is not gonna go away. There is no hiding for the fugitive. When he is caught he will be denied bail and will face over 3p years in jail.
This son of a bitch is going to be captured. His days are numbered. Interpol has already been alerted. He wont fly out to the rest of the world. And under SADC treaty extradition process has already been underway. Malawi government must arrest these people. And will be brought back to South Africa. They can enjoy their little days of sunshine but what they did is so dumb. The rule of law will prevail.
Police department and home affairs are working around the clock to punish those who aided in his escape.
If your own minister assisted for real, he will be formally charged and sure will never set foot in this country. Ask Grace Mugabe. She was born in South Africa but will never visit South Africa again. She would be arrested.
you talk like south africa is paradise or a source of a living water. who cares if he visit or not visit your country again. forsek inja wena
His name is Mkaka (milk in English) and not Makaka.
So Bushiri’s escape has put the whole SA on standstill, wow he is a legend.
I wonder if it is the same money laundering, fraud issues that has him wanted like this. There should be something as regards his crime because even the comments on here are like he committed the most heinous crime. It is like he is a serial killer mweeee. Give the guy a break, nanga mpaka the whole president being angry. It is good he has escaped from Xenophobic land eeish.
our south African government have no enough evidence that point straight to the prophet all the cases that he reported to IPID about the police who were always demanding money from him were never investigated claiming the prophet was always busy when they need his attention.our government official are corrupt.Our government never even appreciate the level of tourism when his church is in normal operation a Sunday service that can host 70 000 people so they knew that the only thing we can do is just to get a stake out of him. even some of the pastor turn to hate him for nothing.let the president be angry to his fellow corrupt comrades
Malawians please.wake up!
South Africans are evil.
Those xenophobic people are clever, corrupted, selfish.
For how many years pomwe akhala akuphika nkhani zabodzazi.
Amalawi anzanga if you have natural hatred for Bushiri, enanu chifukwa chokonda kumva bwino ndimabodza plz khalani pheee.
Alendo ambiri akhala akubwera Ku SA coz of Bushiri, and they have benefited alot because of this. Now they want his wealth.
They now want his life so that they can easily get his wealth.
It’s better to revoke the bail than to be shot dead.
Tisamaone ngati zokhazo akupanga maiko ena nde zolondola no no no.
Change your mind set.
If SA will continue with these evil deeds, mark my words, that country will never be at peace.
I don’t personally know Bushiri.
Koma I feel sad ndimomwe a Malawi tikuombera mmanja.
God open our eyes.
God bless Malawi.
I am more interested in how you have written your comment. Each sentence is a paragraph. This is a problem of chat messaging and how can you write a report or anything at work. It is like a song.
kkkkkkk koma zoona ndipo ndaseka
Nanu, report ndi apa zikugwirizana bwanji.
I now feel the UTM folks are all out to get this Mkaka guy with all negative publicity. I think he is a huge standing block to their aspirations come 2025. The earlier his political career is eliminated the better that’s how they would reason. Like seriously why should we all of a sudden be flooded with Mkaka negative press.
Foreign affairs light weights playing a heavy weights game.
Where are our real diplomats? This crop is getting us into a total global mess and it is serious.
Jerusalem, Pretoria what next?
Well done Bushri. You are right to seek “asylum” in your own country from the xenophobic and corrupt government.
Dr Chakwera and Malawi can not do such a thing. Cadets, slow down
I applaud the return of son of the soil Bushiri. He is our prodigal son, he is not a criminal as not court of law has ever convicted him. Anyone who has suffered at the criminality of South African law enforcement will understand Bushiri’s plight. The police there confiscated my meagre Forex for no reason even when I had the right to stay there. Thousands of Malawians lost lives and property during the xenophobic attacks and no one was brought to justice. If they want Bushiri to return to face justice, let him be accorded the respect they have accorded Ace Magashule, and let them provide a multi-million dollar compensation to Malawi government for the xenophobic attacks on our citizens. Welcome home Bushiri you are at home, feel free to restart your prayer festivities.
so sad my brother our south African government is corrupt what ever you can report to the police in south Africa like the prophet said if you are a foreigner they wont investigate it. they wanted to milk HIM. everyday they are investigating 2018 his case is always postpone they don’t have enough evidence in all his cases
If Rev Chakwera will not put this Mkaka guy on the leash, then he must know that he will be a recipe for the President’s downfall. This guy has made himself the most powerful guy in Chakwera’s Administration within the 4 months this government has existed. And he is always at the centre of negative reports. Chakwera be careful.
Wakuba, hon mkaka ndiwakuba. And which way now tonse alliance? Blunder after blunder,.
Had dpp got better leadership than nankhumwa, this was time to capitalise. Boma lagwa lokha ili blunder after blunder!
We said it before that Nkaka and kampondeni have become overzealous with their positions. Now chakwera should know that he is keeping snakes around him and if he does not act on these two then I will start doubting his thinking capacity.
Koma Mkaka akuyipitsa MCP
I am ashamed on President Chakwera ‘s behalf. Another thing that I am ashamed of is that most of the Tonse Government Ministers ali busy kulandira ziphuphu, the last thing we were expecting. Malawi siidzatheka.
This Mkaka is slowly becoming the new Chisale, he is just doing what he wants and I hope he will be stoped
Mr S chilima please talk to other king makers to get rid of this sheep in wolf clothing, how the hell the so called president been played by an ordinary minister, what a shame, what an embarrassment to the nation I believe Mr chilima can do better than this nonsense, I wornde how much this mkaka guy received from the fugitive to mess us up. To clear ur name mr. President do the needful and hand the criminal over to face the law. Maybe u can gain the trust again coz as it is now in everybody’s mind ur absolutely part of this pathetic, shameful act.
Ramaphosa should be embarrassed and angry with his own judiciary and immigration officials that allowed Biushiri bail and failed to keep track of him as he slipped through South Africa’s immigration checks at the border. Why didn’t they have him tagged and reporting every day at the police station.
Mkaka met Bushiri? Why meeting MBAVA?
Same whatsapp group. Thieves Fraudsters!
Koma Mkaka nde mwabebatu 😂😂 ali apa Mkaka Mkaka
U accused the former government of breaking laws of the country, we didnt know but u told us, now ur breaking international and regional laws. Whats so special about bushiri? how many Malawians need help in SA? If you dont know how things are supposed to be done, ask, if u were smart enough this couldnt have been known.
Malawi: on 6th April 2012 Malawian daniel phiri left lilongwe for Pretoria! Jacob Zuma……. ….(you are to complete the script….
If this is true, such disrespect must not not be allowed by South Africa
Mkaka = the downfall of Chakwera
Chakwera his not fit to lead a country if he is going to embaras us like this.
Mkaka is not that foolish to aid Bushiri without Chakweras say so.
You have put Malawians in RSA in a precarious position.
Tinanena if za preachers becoming presidents diza kale anzathu anasiya kale.Ife tiku nyadila.
Sorry Malawians,but I have to say we have a very dull president besides being a lier.
I feel sorry for this country.From the frying pan to the fire.
Nkhani ya Jerusalem siinati,that is also a big issue.
Eish!!! and you can say it again. We have a lame duck president, who has no idea about running a country. It seems like there is some people who are pulling strings behind the scene
Uchira cadet usadandaule
Recall they also pardoned Sabao from a ten year jail after he had only served 8 months.
Khekhi you should feel sorry for your self..the majority of us are in support of this government..
My dear I voted Tonse alliance.i voted Chakwera and Saulos my concern is about those people appointed to work on the agenda we voted for. If you can’t understand that then I think you are the one to feel sorry for yourself
.
Mbuzi. Better preacher than that thief president
Stop spreading fake news
That is why your name is Kumavalo. You think like one.
I agree with you completely. He might be the SG of MCP koma na udindo uwuwu mmmm Mkaka wachepa nazo. He is too childish for that sensitive post. This one is a straight candidate for dropping from cabinet. The scandals are too many. A day cant pass without hearing Mkaka this Mkaka that. Sam Kawale of Clement Mlombwa be ready to take over. You are very humble and discplined politicians. Sam Kawale or Clement Mlombwa be ready to replace this guy. You are very humble, discplined and hard working osati iziizi.