Controversial South Africa-based pastor in trouble over witchcraft prophecy

Self-styled Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri who is based in South Africa has reported himself to the police in Pretoria after a week of being wanted over a witchcraft prophecy he made in his church in 2016.

A crimen injuria (defamation) case was filed against the controversial preacher by businesswoman Lebogang Mpane who claims Bushiri declared her a witch in church on live television, local media Sowetan Live reported.

The video, which was later posted on Youtube, showed Bushiri prophesying to his employee Sibongile Mable Miya during a sermon in which he accused the complainant of being a sangoma [witch] and had cast a spell on Miya and her ex-husband, Andile Kula.

The complainant, who was not present at the church at the time, was engaged to the ex-husband of Bushiri’s employee who was being told the prophecy on camera.

Mpane said in her affidavit filed last month and cited by Sowetan Live that the prophecy left her deeply distressed and disturbed; her business taking a downturn; her husband losing his job as a result.

“In his sermon Pastor Bushiri purported to prophesy about me, my relationship with my husband, Andile Kula, as well as circumstances under which we got married. All this theatrics in the name of ‘prophecy’ was done with the concurrence and active approval of the ex-wife of my husband.

“The nature and content of the ‘prophecy’ was inter-alia: That I stole my husband from Ms Miya; That I used witchcraft to possess my husband and his children; That I have also converted my husband to be a sangoma,” says the complaint.

She is demanding a settlement of R1 million ($80,000) and R500,000 ($40,000) respectively from Bushiri and his employee Miya who is quoted as saying she is not worried about it.

Bushiri is reported to have visited the police station with his lawyer on Saturday night following a week of scuffles with his church security who refused to allow the police to seek for the preacher.

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has been in the news several times for the wrong reasons. In December last year, he bought a new $125,760 Maserati Levante luxury car for his daughter who was turning five on Christmas day.

Later in January, Botswana shut down his church for breaking the country’s laws with his “miracle money” mechanism. The “miracle money” is a term that refers to the unexplained appearance of money into bank accounts, handbags and pockets of people “blessed” by the “men of God”.

Also, his freedom to enter Botswana was revoked last year when he was attending a conference in the country. He needs a visa to enter the country.

Bushiri lives a lavish lifestyle believed to be financed by his several churches spread across Africa. Besides the “miracle money”, Bushiri claims to have healing powers and can “walk on air”.