Prophet Shepherd Bushiri Investigated For Money Laundering
Big boy South Africa-based Malawi pastor Prophet Shepherd Bushiri is currently being investigated for laundering millions to his home country.
The founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church has been accused by members of his church of sending an estimated R15-million a month to Malawi, his country of birth.
It was alleged that the money were being transported out of South Africa in Bushiri’s private jet and other vehicles.
Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed they have launched a money-laundering probe against Prophet Bushiri, but did not confirm the amounts.
“The matter has been brought to our attention. However, it is still in its infancy stage. It is against our policy to divulge information on any of our investigations,” said Mulaudzi.
Another official told Sunday World that Bushiri became a person of interest after witnesses in the church leadership came forward with information.
According to him, the church leaders who came forward said the church was laundering about R15-million every month.
“Our investigation also found that when the money arrives in Malawi, it is not taken to any bank there. It gets cleaned illegally into different businesses.”
“According to the witnesses, everything that happens in the church is planned. People are bought to testify, they are bought to act sick and crippled and later give testimony that they were healed by prophet Bushiri,” he said.
The official added that the whistle was blown when ‘fake-testimony workers’ started seeing the money that the church was making out of their testimonies and wanted their fair share.
“It is different people every Sunday. The other witness said she demanded R100000 for testifying about Bushiri’s prayer that helped her get out of ITC blacklisting.
“We all know that it is impossible, but gullible and desperate people believe these things,” he said.
The controversial prophet who is also known for his extravagant lifestyle has several branches in the country and in other southern African countries.
Prophet Shepherd who has a fleet of flashy cars acquired a new US$12 million mansion In 2017. He also bought his wife, Mary Bushiri, a brand new G-wagon as a birthday gift and gifted his little daughter, Isrealla Bushiri a Maserati on her birthday.