In recent years Enlightened Christian Gathering’s (ECG) founder and entrepreneur Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has complained of getting negative energy and series of continued attacks from his home country Malawi despite his benevolence to the country.
Just under a year ago, a report by a local tabloid, Nyasa Times, indicated that the prophet sent back some Malawians working for him in South Africa and also cutting on Malawi charity programmes.
The paper established that he felt under-appreciated for all the great things he does for his country and his people, hence he was retrenching, a move that many believed was retributory.
Apart from the normal charity programmes in Malawi, the man of God helps tens of thousands of Malawians in South Africa with small loans. More so, job opportunities at the church, school fees, monthly stipends, and even help during funerals and sickness.
Bushiri’s Communications Director Ephraim Nyondo hinted at his master’s frustrations when the Nyasa Times quoted him saying;
“Prophet Bushiri is doing so much for Malawi. However, it’s shocking to note how, instead of being celebrated, he is attacked and slewed like a criminal. A lot of people here in South Africa come to him for help.
He literally subsists so many. Nobody talks about it, even Nyasa Times and other media don’t write about it. But when something wrong happens to these people, all the blame goes on him. Why?”
When he gives maize, he is blamed for missing albinos. When he gives money to the national football team, he is blamed for causing deaths. When he helps people with fees, he is blamed. Really?
He is also a human being. He feels pains. He feels bad. That is why my office is advising him to cut back on Malawians.”
Meanwhile, Prophet Bushiri and his wife Mary have been slapped with fraud and money laundering charges in South Africa. Just a week after they beat a case of defeating the ends of justice and of interfering with police work following the death of three women at their Church in December.
Bushiri was arrested by the Hawks in Rustenburg, North-West province last Friday and is expected to make an appearance before the Pretoria Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday.
The Hawks’ case against the pair, concerns alleged offenses of fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. (POCA), committed from 2015, in relation to Exchange Control Regulations related to foreign currency in an amount of US$1 147 200.
Well, while the arrest is still buzzing on most tabloids, a new editorial piece by a Zambian tabloid, The Zambian Observer, has insinuated that Malawian President, Mr. Peter Mutharika is the one who has engineered the current arrest and detention of Prophet Bushiri.
The piece established that Mr. Mutharika is a close business friend of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, hence was using his position to influence to make up counterfeit legal cases as retribution to the prophet.
“If you remember very well, Former Malawian President Joyce Banda was backed by Bushiri in the election she lost,” the piece goes on.
“This is where Bushiri stepped on the happiness of Mutharika who eventually lost that election but rigged it using the then MTN Director Saulos Klaus Chilima who helped Mutharika to rig the 2004 election.
Saulos Klaus Chilima was subsequently made vice President so that he keeps the secret.
That is why the Electoral Commission of Malawi was burnt three days before the court in the country ordered for a recount of votes to establish the true winner Joyce Banda.
Coming to the main issue; Bushiri has made strides in Malawi to influence regime change against Mutharika’s despotic rule. But in retaliation, Mutharika has connived with Cyril Ramaphosa to cook fake charges against Bushiri.
This is part of the plan to rig elections in Malawi and because Ramaphosa is also a corrupt person, Bushiri is being persecuted,” the piece concludes.
The allegations against Pres. Mutharika, however, cannot be justified as last December Prophet Bushiri had nothing but good words about him.
Speaking at his book launch in Blantyre, an event graced by several high ranking government officials, business magnets, politicians and traditional leaders, Bushiri praised the Malawian leader for developing the North.
“As you know, I am non-partisan but I believe it is very important to give respect and admiration where credit’s due. For those of us who grew up in the North know how underdeveloped the city has been.
“But when I went there recently, I was astonished with the highway in Mzuzu and the road connecting the Northern City and Nkhatabay,” said Bushiri.
Bushiri, nevertheless, could have hinted at the rift between him and the First Office when he said that Mutharika had to leave from the norm where people in the country find displeasure in the achievements of another person.
He urged Mutharika et al to develop the spirit of elevating one another.
It is, therefore, a challenge of thorough speculation to bring to light how President Mutharika is working hand-in-glove with the South African officials to persecute Prophet Bushiri.
Until that is established beyond reasonable doubt, the claim is a mere incendiary as it is defamatory from either a Bushiri fanatic or a Mutharika cynic.
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