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B-Metro Reporter
ECCENTRIC prosperity preacher Prophet Shepherd Bhushiri (35) stands to lose everything in South Africa if that country’s Home Affairs Department finds irregularities with his residency.
Department of Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza told journalists that the investigation into his residency was a routine exercise to assist in the ongoing investigations.
“Yes, we are investigating. We want to ascertain compliance with the Immigration Act and our actions support the work of law enforcement agencies,” said Qoza.
Under South African law, if it is found that his papers are irregular, the prophet will be banished from the richest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa and all his assets seized by the state.
The Malawi-born preacher found wealth, fame and power after setting up a string of churches across South Africa claiming to heal illnesses such as cancer, summon angels for meetings and claimed to walk on air. It is reported that he is worth more than half a billion in American dollars which translates to more than R7 billion.
His followers in Bulawayo view his release on bail last week as a testimony.
“Those are trumped up charges. The prophet besides being a good man has enemies all over. Christians always overcome these obstacles,” said a member of the church who asked not to be identified.
“We knew that this would come to pass when he prophesied about it last year. He has a gift from God.”
The Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) has a large following in the city and rents a 5 000-seater auditorium in Belmont, in the industrial area. The church premises also serve as its national headquarters.
Mary Bushiri, who was arrested with her husband last week, attended the official opening of ECG’s branch in Bulawayo in January 2017. “Mama’s” visit as Mary is called is remembered by congregants with affection.
The couple was arrested for fraud, money laundering and being in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act committed from 2015.
It was in relation to exchange control regulations related to being in possession of foreign currency of about $1,1m.
Bulawayo’s industrial areas were once the hub of activity for companies, lending to the city the moniker of being a place that has smoke above its skyline — a sign of the activity from its many factories.
Churches which have set up premises in the industrial areas include the United Family International Church led by Emmanuel Makandiwa, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries by Walter Magaya and River of Life International by Bothwell Phiri.
As the economic problems in the country worsened, the industries went dead quiet and in their place, churches such as Bushiri’s ECG sprung up. Prayers, praise and worship songs have replaced the sound of machinery in the industrial areas.
Inside the ECG offices, there is a life-size poster of Bushiri at the entrance. There are also various products on sale which include oil, water and sermons by Bushiri.
“Anointing oil costs R150 and there’s also the perfume branded Last Man Standing) going for R100,” an official says. Preferably the paraphernalia at the church is sold in foreign currency.
Bushiri’s arrest by the Hawks, if anything, has intensified his followers’ love and admiration of him.
A video has been widely circulated by church members where their leader appears to “prophesy” about his arrest. It is used as both a source of encouragement for the faithful and to mock their leader’s enemies.
Services and meetings are all being held as per the normal routine by the church. Ndanisa Moyo, a manager at the church directed all questions to the South African head office.
“Those that speak for us are in South Africa. We don’t talk about anything especially the prophet’s arrest. It didn’t happen in Zimbabwe in the first place,” he said.
But Bushiri’s rise to stardom in Zimbabwe will always be remembered for his “prophetic” word to then State Security Minister, now Vice President Kembo Mohadi.
It was in November 2017 that Bushiri told VP Mohadi that he would be promoted. With Mugabe’s stepping down as president, weeks later Mohadi was named as vice president to the new leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Bushiri’s court case has attracted the attention of his spiritual father, “prophet” Uebert Angel who flew from the UK to South Africa to go and support his spiritual son.
derick.khumalo