South African Politician Criticized for Visiting Wanted Pastor Shepherd Bushiri
South African politician Floyd Shivambu, secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, is under fire for attending an Easter service hosted by Shepherd Bushiri, a self-proclaimed prophet who fled South Africa while facing serious charges including rape and fraud.
Bushiri, once among southern Africa’s most prominent evangelical figures, escaped to his native Malawi in 2020 after being granted bail in South Africa. Since then, he and his wife Mary Bushiri, who also faces fraud charges, have been fighting extradition efforts in Malawian courts.
Despite these ongoing legal battles, Shivambu retweeted footage of his visit to Bushiri’s Jesus Nation Church, praising the pastor for his “unparalleled work” in uplifting communities socially, economically, and spiritually.
Shivambu’s public praise of the controversial preacher was swiftly condemned by South Africa’s Minister of Justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi, who described the visit as a “blatant act of disrespect” toward South Africa’s legal system. She warned that such actions could encourage others to evade justice.
Even the MK party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, distanced itself from Shivambu’s visit. In an official statement, the party said the visit was made “in his personal capacity and without the party’s endorsement”, and emphasized its commitment to combating gender-based violence and exploitation.
Bushiri is widely known for his claims of performing miracles, including healing the sick and walking on air, while amassing wealth through the sale of so-called spiritual items like “miracle oil.” He continues to deny all charges against him.
Shivambu, formerly a senior member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), defected to the MK party in 2024 and was appointed secretary-general. Under Zuma’s leadership, the MK party made significant electoral gains, securing third place in South Africa’s most recent general election.
The incident has reignited debate around faith, justice, and political accountability, with many calling on leaders to uphold ethical standards in public service.
