Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has been released on bail in his fraud and money laundering of K5 billion (R102 million). He has been bailed together with his wife and alleged partner-in-crime, Prophetess Mary Bushiri.
The couple, having spent 14 nights in custody at the infamous Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, has been ordered to pay total of about K20 million, each paying half of the amount.
The two have also been barred from travelling outside South Africa.
The flamboyant prophet who has previously fought rape charges has been barred from making any threatening statement or referring to the case during his church session.
He has been warned that should he refer to the case as persecution or intimidate the prosecutors or the witnesses, his bail will be revoked.
Major 1 maintains his innocence.
Bushiri arrested, again! Accused of fraud and money laundering K5b
Bushiri, who has been nicknamed Chisale in his home country Malawi after former President Peter Mutharika’s personal bodyguard Norman Chisale, has said he will plead not guilty as he claims to be innocent.
His lawyers had said that the case against Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary was neither serious nor strong and demanded to know the couple’s alleged victims in his bail application.
However, the state refused to reveal identities of the complainants citing the pattern in Bushiri’s case and fears of witness intimidation.
The state refused to reveal identities of the said victims saying there is a pattern in all cases that are filled against Bushiri.
The State argued that each time Bushiri is taken to court and victims are revealed, the prophet allegedly intimidates or pays the victims a hefty sum of money in order to withdraw their cases against him as he continues to masquerade himself as an innocent person under persecution.
Eventually, the state argued, witnesses including those who have accused Major 1 of rape end up withdrawing their cases against the controversial Prophet.
The state said it feared this pattern being the case in the current case.
Meanwhile, Bushiri’s recent arch nemesis, Prophet Paseka Motsoeneng who is popularly known as Prophet Mboro was at the court today.
Mboro who has supported some of the victims who alleged to have been scammed by Bushiri had a meeting with ECG directors and Bushiri’s personal lawyer. ECG confirmed the meeting.
During this morning session, Mboro also confirmed meeting Bushiri’s representatives. Mboro could however not reveal whether the cases the alleged victims filled against Bushiri will be withdrawn.
“Bushiri must face the music for his alleged crimes”, said Mboro before the session. However, the said the two waring groups have now buried the hatchet and will work towards rebuilding their partnership.
Breaking: Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has been released on bail. He walks out together with his wife, Prophetess Mary Bushiri after spending 14 days at the infamous Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre. Their bail has been billed at K10m each. Details at: https://t.co/RQEcKR40Dv pic.twitter.com/OaufB5Qa4x
— Malawi24 (@Malawi24) November 4, 2020
The hearing of the K5 billion fraud and money laundering will continue this coming Friday, the 6th of November 2020 at the Pretoria Magistrate Court.
Bushiri also faces a different charge of fraud and money laundering K0.8 billion. This trial has been adjourned to mid next year.
The case continues.
Judgement Wednesday: Bushiri to spend 2 more nights in custody
