I know your immigration status, Bushiri tells Sambo
Major 1 fights with Kamangila
Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has sued a former member of his Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), Peter Sambo. Major 1 is demanding £50,000 (about K120 million) in compensation over Facebook posts he says are defamatory, libellous and amounting to harassment.
“I have instructed my lawyers in the United Kingdom to commence legal proceedings against Mr. Peter Sambo for the false and defamatory statements he has made about me on social media. He has been served, and the matter will proceed before the High Court in London. This is no longer a back and forth on social media. It is now a legal process, and it will run its full course,” Bushiri said on Facebook.
“Our position is clear. Mr. Sambo may be held liable for damages of up to £50,000 for the harm caused to me and my family. Should he fail to satisfy any judgment, all enforcement mechanisms available under UK law will be fully pursued. Let there be no confusion: being outside Malawi does not place anyone beyond accountability. The law is not limited by geography,” he said.
Bushiri further said he is aware of Sambo’s immigration status but could not clarify further.
“I am aware of his current circumstances in the United Kingdom, including his immigration status and professional environment. These systems operate under strict standards where conduct and character are relevant considerations. Where necessary, the appropriate processes will be followed. I have also instructed our legal team to look into it,” Bushiri said.
The prophet is being represented in the UK by Batesi Bagonenge Lawyers who sent a cease and desist letter to Sambo on 15 April. The pre-action protocol letter describes Bushiri as “a well known and highly respected church leader.” Bushiri has warned Sambo that legal proceedings will follow if he does not comply within 14 days.
Sambo is required to delete and remove all posts, screenshots, captions, comments and republications on his Facebook page said to defame Bushiri. He must cease and desist from publishing any further allegations, publish a full written apology and retraction in terms to be agreed, and provide a written undertaking not to repeat or republish the allegations.
Bushiri is also demanding that Sambo disclose the identities of every third party to whom he forwarded or supplied the allegations, screenshots or related content, and confirm whether any employer, platform administrator or associated person was involved in spreading the posts. The request for third party identities could be in violation of UK privacy laws.
Sambo has not retreated and is relentlessly going on Bushiri. He has even asked Bushiri to file his lawsuit in South Africa where the prophet is wanted for various cases. The Malawian prophet has always maintained his innocence and successfully challenged his extradition before the ruling was appealed.
Kamangila Bushiri fight
Meanwhile the prophet is also in a public spat on social media with activist and whistleblower lawyer Alexious Kamangila.
Kamangila, weighing in on the Sambo Bushiri onslaught, posted: “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Shepherd Bushiri’s hands sangayere olo atawatsuka ndi BOOM lol.”
Bushiri directly responded to Kamangila’s post with a comment: “If you were well mentally, I could have sued you. We are praying for you. With love.”
Kamangila who is doing his doctorate law degree in Ireland fired back: “Now I can sue you for defamation and libel in South Africa”.
