Bid to preserve Bushiri’s assets, probe into residency

THERE is no respite for Malawian self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, who now faces fresh probes that threaten to dispossess him of his assets, which include a private jet and a fleet of luxury cars.

The Department of Home Affairs said yesterday that it was investigating the South African residency of the popular prophet.

The leader of the Enlightened Christian Gatherings church and his wife Mary were last week released on R100000 bail each after being arrested for fraud and money laundering.

They spent five days in custody, and are scheduled to return to court on May 10.

Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said the investigation was to ascertain compliance with the Immigration Act. He said the purpose was also to support the work of law enforcement agencies.

The investigation was expected to be concluded by the end of this week.

“The department is part of the justice and security cluster. We get involved when a law enforcement agency asks for confirmation of the status of a foreign national; we can initiate the investigation, too.”

The State is also expected to approach the high court in Pretoria for an order to preserve his assets, including residences, vehicles and a private jet.

According to the department, Bushiri first entered South Africa in September 2009, but acquired permanent residency that would have allowed him to run his church only in May 2016.

But his church is recorded as having been active in South Africa in 2012.

The police are also investigating a case of defeating the ends of justice against his church after three women were killed in a stampede on December 28. Nine other congregants were injured. The church has been charged with defeating the ends of justice as the incident was not immediately reported to law enforcement.

Bushiri’s lawyer could not be reached for comment yesterday.