Pastor Bushiri and Wife Arrested in R102 Million Fraud in South Africa

The Malawian pastor Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary were two of four suspects who have been arrested for their alleged involvement in fraud and money laundering worth R102 million.

It was reported late today that Mary Bushiri was arrested first and then her husband, after trying to evade the Hawks, handed himself in to the police in Pretoria. Bushiri, who claims he can cure people of HIV, was also arrested in 2019 for the same alleged crimes. The first couple was arrested on the weekend.

Bushiri’s non-denominational evangelical church Enlightened Christian Gathering is based in Pretoria.

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation members arrested the first couple on Saturday, 17 October, the woman in Sandton and her husband at OR Tambo International airport. The two – named by the South African Police Service (SAPS) as Willah and Zethu Mudolo – have since appeared in the Pretoria Magitstrate’s Court. Their case has been postponed to 30 October 2020 for formal bail application.

Mary Bushiri (39) was arrested at her home and her husband (37), after attempting to evade the team, handed himself over at Silverton police station with an entourage of attorneys.

The second couple is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court soon, said SAPS.

UPDATE 14 November 2020: Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and wife Mary in Malawi