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Irate Enlightened Christian Gathering church members gathered around a Hawks car in Pretoria on Monday and prayed as they shouted “fire! fire!” ahead of church leader Sheperd Bushiri’s appearance at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Bushiri followers shouted “fire” towards the Hawks vehicle, while a woman claimed he raised her father from death.
Bushiri and his wife were arrested by the Hawks on Friday on fraud and money-laundering charges.
Members have been sending messages of support to the couple on social media, while others took to the streets of Pretoria to support their leaders in protests.
One of Bushiri’s followers in a video posted by Jacaranda FM on Twitter said: “I’m here to support my father, Major 1, who rose my father from death. He saved our lives, I’m telling you. I’ve got a father here, he died and Major 1 rose him. Where was the government that time? Where were the doctors that time? Now I’ve got a father because of Major 1. I’m here to support Major 1, wherever he goes, we go with him. We love you Major 1. We love you our prophet, our prophetess, no matter what. No Major, no votes, no government.”
Watch the video below shared by Jacaranda FM:
On the church’s Facebook page, Bushiri’s pastor friend Uebert Angel called for church members to fast and pray for their leaders.
“I have already begun the preparations. I want you to join me in prayer and fasting starting at 12am CAT until 1pm in the afternoon of Monday. I cannot wait to minister to you and show that God is still speaking today!” he was quoted as saying.
The couple’s case was postponed to Wednesday.
(Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde)
Also read: Bushiri’s arrest a ploy to destroy his popular church, says BLF
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