Shivambu slammed for visiting and praising Bushiri in Malawi during Easter [VIDEO]

The MK party has distanced itself from its secretary-general Floyd Shivambu’s visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri’s church in Malawi, saying it was not sanctioned by the party.

Shivambu commended Bushiri for his significant contributions to uplifting communities during a visit to the controversial pastor’s Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church for Easter on Friday.

Shivambu sings praises for Bushiri

The MK party secretary-general expressed his gratitude on the social media platform X.

“Thank you, my brother, Prophet Bushiri, for hosting us and for the kind words.

“The government-scale amount of work you do to economically, educationally, socially, and spiritually uplift our people is unparalleled — both now and historically.”

Shivambu also emphasised the appreciation from Malawi’s leadership and people for the programs Bushiri has initiated.

“I know that the leadership and people of Malawi appreciate and cherish the so many massive programmes you do for the people on the ground. Continue doing the good work.

“The Book says, ‘kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and He will repay the lender’. God Bless!’” Shivambu posted.

Watch the video below:

Comrade Floyd Shivambu 🫡#bushiri pic.twitter.com/x2PolzzsLl

— Shepherd Bushiri (@psbushiri_) April 19, 2025

ALSO READ: Bushiri celebrates reduced charges, but can they be reinstated? Malawi’s attorney general explains

MK party reacts to Shivambu’s visit

In a statement, MK’s party’s national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, clarified Shivambu attended Bushiri’s church in his personal capacity.

“The uMkhonto weSizwe party categorically distance itself from the recent visit by our secretary-general to the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church led by self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi.

“The party wishes to make it unequivocally clear that this visit was not sanctioned, endorsed or initiated by the leadership or any official structure of the MK party.

“The secretary-general undertook this visit in his personal capacity and without the mandate or knowledge of the party,” Ndhlela said.

ALSO READ: Will Shepherd Bushiri escape again? Here’s what the justice minister says

‘Rule of law’

Ndhlela added that the MK party “upholds the rule of law and maintains a zero-tolerance stance on criminality in all its forms”.

“When in an unprecedented case, [former] president Zuma was sent to prison without trial under Roman-Dutch Law, he did not flee from justice but was incarcerated and served his time, even though it was a miscarriage of justice and a violation of his human rights.

“We remain firmly opposed to any association with individuals who are fugitives from justice.

“Our values are rooted in integrity, justice and accountability, and we reject any actions that compromise the reputation and ethical standing of our movement,” he said.

Ndhlela further said the MK party strongly condemns all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), including “the exploitation of vulnerable communities, especially innocent Christian believers, by individuals who manipulate faith for personal enrichment or to evade justice”.

Justice Minister criticises Shivambu

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has also raised concerns about Shivambu’s visit to Bushiri’s church.

Justice Ministry spokesperson, Terence Manase, said Kubayi strongly condemned Shivambu’s conduct, “describing his association with Mr Bushiri as a blatant act of disrespect toward South Africa’s legal system”.

“The minister cautioned that such behaviour by a political leader not only undermines the credibility of the judiciary but also diminishes the gravity of the charges against Mr Bushiri, sending a dangerous message to the public and to victims of crime.”

‘Eroding public trust’

Kubayi said Shivambu’s actions “erode public trust in the justice system and embolden those who believe they can escape accountability”.

“No one, regardless of status or position, is above the law. Political leaders have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law, not fraternise with fugitives.”

The minister urged public representatives to work in partnership with law enforcement authorities to safeguard the country from those who violate the law.

“As a party represented in the Parliament of South Africa, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party has a duty to uphold justice and respect the integrity of South Africa’s legal processes.”

ALSO READ: Senior Home Affairs official sacked over Shepherd Bushiri residency

Bushiri hails Shivambu

During the Easter church service, Bushiri described Shivambu as “one of the great and wonderful men I know who loves Africa and supports African affairs”.

In a post on X, the fugitive pastor applauded Shivambu’s Pan-African ideals.

“Thrilled to have met Mr. Floyd Shivambu! His philosophy of black people supporting each other resonated deeply.

”Sadly, some still peddle jealousy and negativity — labelling successful black individuals as ‘corrupt’ and in need of investigation, while praising white individuals as ‘investors.’ That’s not Pan-Africanism; that’s jealousy,” Bushiri said.

Bushiri also shared a lighter moment of Shivambu’s visit.

“He even stopped by our church for a prayer session. I guess you could say he wanted to ‘pray away’ any political stress — or ensure his prayers were ‘politically correct’.”

Thrilled to have met Mr Floyd Shivambu! His philosophy of black people supporting each other resonated deeply. Kudos for championing pragmatic ideologies that can propel Africa forward.

Sadly, some still peddle jealousy and negativity, labeling successful black individuals as… pic.twitter.com/5naXEr5mvS

— Shepherd Bushiri (@psbushiri_) April 19, 2025

Bushiri’s arrest

Bushiri has been described as a “fugitive” after fleeing South Africa while facing serious charges, including rape and fraud.

The pastor, his wife and two others were arrested in 2020.

The couple are wanted in South Africa in connection with a fraud and money laundering case to the alleged tune of R102 million.

They fled to Malawi in November 2020, just a few days after they were granted bail of R200 000 each, under strict conditions, in the Pretoria Central Magistrate’s Court, despite an expert warning they were a flight risk.

Several days later, they fled the country, claiming their lives were in danger.

The Bushiris’ unlawful departure from South Africa constituted a direct violation of their bail conditions and prompted an official extradition request to the Malawian government.

In March 2025, a Malawian court ruled in favour of extraditing the couple to South Africa to face justice.

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