South Africa politician condemned for visiting fugitive pastor

A top official in one of South Africa's biggest political parties has been condemned for visiting a self-proclaimed pastor who fled to Malawi after he was accused of rape and fraud.

Floyd Shivambu, secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party of former President Jacob Zuma, retweeted footage on X of him attending an Easter service at Shepherd Bushiri's church.

Mr Bushiri, from Malawi, was one of southern Africa's best known preachers when he was arrested and charged with fraud in 2020.

After being released on bail, he managed to flee to his home country in unclear circumstances. South Africa has been trying to extradite him ever since.

Last month, a court in Malawi backed the extradition request but Mr Bushiri and his wife Mary, who is facing fraud charges, have lodged an appeal.

Mr Bushiri is a millionaire who set up churches in several African countries.

He is accused of preying on poor people who were desperate to improve their lives by selling merchandise including "miracle oil".

The self-proclaimed prophet claims to have cured people of HIV, made the blind see, changed the fortunes of the impoverished and, on at least one occasion, walked on air.

Mr Bushiri has also been charged with rape. He and his wife have denied any wrongdoing.

South Africa's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi said Shivambu's association with Mr Bushiri was "a blatant act of disrespect toward South Africa's legal system".

She added that it would "embolden those who believe they can escape accountability".

Shivambu's own MK party also released a statement to distance itself from his visit, saying he had undertaken it "in his personal capacity and without the mandate or knowledge of the party".

The party added that it "condemns all forms of gender-based violence and the exploitation of vulnerable communities, especially innocent Christian believers, by individuals who manipulate faith for personal enrichment or to evade justice".

In a post on X on Saturday, Shivambu praised Mr Bushiri for his "good work".

"Thank you my brother, Prophet Bushiri for hosting us and for the kind words," he wrote.

"The government scale amount of work you do to economically, educationally, socially and spiritually uplift our people is unparalleled now and in history.

"I know that the leadership and people of Malawi appreciate and cherish the so many massive programmes you do for the people on the ground."

He reposted footage shared by Mr Bushiri which showed the self-proclaimed pastor ask hundreds of worshippers at his Jesus Nation church to welcome the South African politician.

Under the leadership of former President Zuma, the newly formed MK party came third in last year's elections - a major factor in the governing ANC losing its majority for the first time since democratic elections were introduced in 1994.

Shivambu joined the party in August last year from the rival Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and was later appointed secretary-general - one of the party's top positions.