By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said MK Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu’s visit to Shepherd Bushiri’s Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church undermines the credibility of the judiciary.
Bushiri and his wife fled South Africa in 2020 while facing charges of rape and fraud.
A Malawian court recently ruled they should be extradited to face trial.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi condemned Shivambu’s conduct, “describing his association with Bushiri as a blatant act of disrespect toward South Africa’s legal system”.
Kubayi 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 Bushiri, sending a dangerous message to the public and to victims of crime.”
She 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.
Shivambu 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.”
MK Party has swiftly distanced itself from Shivambu’s visit to the church led by fugitive Bushiri.
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.