Pastor loses ‘piece of paradise’

It is a little too late for the no-show self-proclaimed prophet who lost a piece of paradise after forfeiting his Centurion property as part of his bail conditions yesterday.

The fugitive Shepherd and Mary Bushiri have forfeited their R5.5 million house in Midstream after they failed to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

Sipho Ngwema, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), welcomed the decision of the court.

“The two fugitives can run but can certainly not hide. They are not off the hook.”

Justice and Correctional Services

Minister Ronald Lamola said yesterday he was “convinced the Bushiris will come back to South Africa for trial and they are guaranteed a fair trial”.

Bushiri last night announced on his Facebook page he and his wife were released unconditionally after appearing in a magistrate’s court in Malawi.

“In his ruling, the magistrate ordered that my wife and I must be released unconditionally because our arrest was illegal.”

Bushiri said he was informed his assets in South Africa have been confiscated by authorities.

“My right to life is more important than any asset in this world,” he said.

Former journalist Samantha Hartshorne told The Citizen about meeting the Bushiris while doing a feature about celebrity houses.

Hartshorne said she could see it was not their main house because even though the house was furnished with expensive furniture, it seemed empty.

“They eventually arrived in two separate fancy cars and a stylist for Mary.”

Local estate agent Yolandi Meiring said the estate caters to buyers from R2 million to over R10 million for a property.

Derek Thompson, ward councillor, said the estate had sophisticated security, such as face recognition and fingerprint access. “Bushiri lost a piece of paradise,” he said.