Controversy Erupts as South African Politician Visits Fugitive Pastor

Sat Dec 13 2025 19:59:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Floyd Shivambu faces backlash after attending a service led by fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri, who is wanted for rape and fraud.

South African politician Floyd Shivambu has been criticized for visiting pastor Shepherd Bushiri, who fled to Malawi to escape legal charges. Shivambu's party distanced itself from his actions, condemning exploitation of vulnerable communities.

A high-ranking official in South Africa's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, Floyd Shivambu, has come under fire for visiting a controversial pastor now living as a fugitive in Malawi. This visit has sparked outrage, particularly because Shepherd Bushiri, the self-proclaimed prophet, is under scrutiny for multiple allegations including rape and fraud.

Shivambu, who serves as the secretary-general of MK, shared footage on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) highlighting his attendance at an Easter service at Bushiri's church. Bushiri gained notoriety in southern Africa after being arrested for fraud in 2020. Upon being released on bail, he allegedly fled to Malawi under questionable circumstances, leading South Africa to pursue his extradition.

The extradition request received a boost last month when a Malawi court supported it; however, both Bushiri and his wife, also facing fraud charges, have lodged an appeal against this decision. Known for leading a multi-million-dollar operation and founding churches across Africa, Bushiri has been accused of exploiting vulnerable individuals, selling items like "miracle oil" to those seeking solutions to their hardships. He claims to have performed miraculous acts such as curing HIV and restoring sight to the blind, but his past is marred by serious accusations, including that of rape—all of which he and his wife deny.

South Africa's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, denounced Shivambu's association with Bushiri, labeling it as disrespectful to the legal system and potentially a signal to other fugitives that they can evade accountability. Shivambu's own MK party quickly moved to dissociate itself from his visit, asserting that it occurred without the party's knowledge or approval.

Despite the backlash, Shivambu voiced his admiration for Bushiri's work on social media, thanking him for his "good work" and praising his efforts in uplifting communities, which he described as unparalleled in history. He also reposted footage featuring Bushiri addressing worshippers at Jesus Nation church, who welcomed Shivambu.

Shivambu's journey into the MK party followed his departure from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and has significantly influenced the political landscape in South Africa, with the MK party notably taking third place in the recent elections—resulting in the ANC losing its majority for the first time since the country's democratic transition in 1994.