Shepherd Bushiri calls South Africa immigration probe a ‘witch-hunt’

Shepherd Bushiri says SIU probe ‘claimed an innocent life’

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has issued a strongly worded statement addressing ongoing scrutiny surrounding his South African immigration status, accusing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) of pursuing what he describes as an unjust campaign against him.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Bushiri maintained that he did not apply for his immigration status within South Africa, but through official channels at the South African Embassy in Malawi.

“I did not apply for my immigration status in South Africa. I applied through the South African Embassy in Malawi. My documents were submitted in Malawi, long before we came to South Africa permanently, and not through any church member in South Africa,” he said.

Bushiri further claimed that his application was approved in line with South African immigration laws, arguing that he qualified on the basis of substantial financial investment.

“Our applications were lawfully approved under South African law, which grants immigration status to individuals who make a substantial investment in the country, over R10 million. By the time I applied, I had already invested more than R90 million in South Africa. This was not a favour. It was not an exception. It was the law,” he stated.

According to Bushiri, he and his wife were formally contacted by the embassy to collect their permits after approval and did not rely on intermediaries to secure documentation.

He also addressed the case of a former immigration officer who was previously linked to the matter.

Bushiri alleged that the official was arrested and dismissed from his position due to suspicions that he had facilitated their permits because of church ties.

“An innocent man was arrested, an immigration officer whose only ‘crime’ was that he was a member of our church,” Bushiri said, adding that the official was “brutally treated” and lost his job.

He further claimed that the officer died last week.

Bushiri criticised authorities for allegedly issuing a statement suggesting the officer had admitted to wrongdoing.

“Before his body was even laid to rest, a statement was rushed out claiming that he had admitted to issuing us permits illegally. They spoke for him only once they were sure he could no longer speak for himself,” he said.

The preacher also questioned the timeline of the investigation, noting that he and his wife were charged with immigration-related offences six years ago.

“If this investigation is only emerging now, why were we arrested then? Do you arrest people in order to investigate, or do you investigate in order to arrest?” he asked.

Describing the situation as “not justice” and “not due process,” Bushiri concluded by labelling the matter a “witch-hunt” that he believes has already “claimed an innocent life.”

The SIU has yet to publicly respond to Bushiri’s latest claims.