MEC asks for updates on prophet

AN UPDATE on investigations into allegations that prophet Shepherd Bushiri defeated the ends of justice will be given only once the new Gauteng police commissioner has been briefed about strategic matters.

MEC for Community Safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane recently called on police to expedite the case, which was opened last month against Bushiri’s Enlightened Christian Gathering Church.

Three women were killed in a stampede at the church during a service on December 28 and nine others injured as they ran for shelter during a heavy rainstorm. The three bodies were taken to a private morgue in Pretoria West without their families’ knowledge or consent. Law enforcement and paramedics had also not been informed.

Nkosi-Malobane wrote to the then acting provincial commissioner, Major-General Max Masha, enquiring about the arrests of those responsible.

The MEC’s spokesperson, Ofentse Morwane, said they had not received any formal response from the police. They had until February 1 to give an update on the case.

“The department understands that an investigation is still under way but has not received any formal response on the matter. There has been a change in the leadership at the SAPS, including that of the new provincial commissioner. Our expectation is that the new provincial commissioner should be fully briefed about all the strategic matters, including high-profile cases such as this one.

“However, the department intends to write a follow-up letter to the new provincial commissioner on the matter for his immediate response,” he said.

Some of the issues raised included calling for an update on whether there had been any arrests and charges for interfering with the scene, as well as the removal of the bodies before the police attended the scene.

The MEC also questioned whether the church faced additional charges as it was not fully compliant.

“While as South Africans we subscribe to the principle of innocent until proved guilty, I am of the view that charges can be levelled immediately against suspects or organisers for defeating the ends of justice.

“This can be done without having to rely on the outcomes of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities hearing,” she said.

Bushiri appeared before the commission two weeks ago and apologised for the tragedy.

He blamed the weather for the incident, and said the church had had nothing whatsoever to do with the deaths.