Six things to know about Shepherd Bushiri’s court showdown on Wednesday

One of the wealthiest and best-known pastors in Africa, Shepherd Bushiri, appears in court on Wednesday. The terms for bail are likely to be hammered out, before a court date is set down for proceedings to continue. But, as a long legal journey gets underway, we’ve decided to summarise this case as best we can – identifying six vital bits of information:

What you need to know about Shepherd Bushiri’s latest court case

Why has Shepherd Bushiri ‘been arrested’?

Both Hawks and Bushiri’s lawyers have confirmed that the authorities want to “discuss an issue concerning a certain investment in one of his companies called Rising Estate”. The pastor has a number of private investment ventures, but he is accused of orchestrating a fraudulent operation worth over R102 million – or 4% of his net worth.

What charges will he face?

• Fraud
• Money laundering
• Contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act

Others have also been detained

Four people were arrested for alleged involvement. Hawks arrested the first couple on Saturday, the woman in Sandton and her husband at OR Tambo International airport. The two, Willah Mudolo and Zethu Mudolo, have since appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and their case was postponed to 30 October 2020.

Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary were both taken in on Monday.

What are his supporters saying?

Dozens of supporters have arrived outside of the Pretoria Magistrate’s court to give their backing to Shepherd Bushiri. Many believe there is a political conspiracy against their religious hero, and a large number refuse to believe the charges:

#Bushiri One of the supporters says they don't believe these charges. pic.twitter.com/nhnMOoJFAv

— Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile (@Gao_Phala) October 21, 2020

The Bushiri Church has released an official statement

The news from the pastor’s camp is positive, and his supporters have been encouraged to ‘keep the Bushiris in their prayers‘:

“Let us keep on standing with our spiritual parents by putting them in prayer. We wish to inform you that they are still with the Hawks, as announced earlier, but the hand of the Lord is with them, they are in high spirit and they have nothing in their minds apart from the thought of you and the church.”

Statement from the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church (ECG)

Did Shepherd Bushiri try to ‘evade arrest’?

According to Hawks, the pastor did not go quietly. Although wife Mary was detained by the letter of the law, Shepherd Bushiri has been accused of trying to slip away from authorities – which may not stand him in good stead with the courts:

“The woman [Mary Bushiri], 39, was arrested at her home and her husband [Shepherd Bushiri], 37, after trying to evade the team, handed himself over at Silverton police station with an entourage of attorneys.” 

Hawks statement

• This is a developing story and we will bring you updates as we get them.