‘You’re no man of God!’ — Gardee labels Bushiri ‘Man of Satan’ after Shivambu visit

Bushiri

Cape Town – Deputy president of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Godrich Gardee, has strongly condemned his former ally Floyd Shivambu and fugitive pastor Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, labelling Bushiri as “evil” and a “Man of Satan”.

The backlash follows Shivambu’s visit to Bushiri’s church in Malawi during Easter, despite Bushiri being wanted in South Africa for charges including rape, fraud, and money laundering.

Gardee criticised Shivambu for associating with a fugitive and pointed out an Israeli flag behind Bushiri during the visit, contrasting it with South Africa’s pro-Palestinian stance.

Bushiri, a controversial preacher and businessman, fled South Africa in 2020 while on bail for charges including fraud, money laundering, and rape.

Last month, a Malawian court approved his extradition, though he plans to appeal.

“The badge behind you tells how evil you are. Not only the money of innocent South Africans was enough for you. I remember meeting you down in the cells looking pathetic whilst getting one of your own bail. You ran away from the law. Man of Satan pretending to be Man of God,” he wrote on X.

Despite this, Shivambu has previously expressed support for Hamas and condemnation of Israel.

Shivambu praised Bushiri’s community work in Malawi during the trip, but was slammed by EFF MP Carl Niehaus, who accused him of being swayed by money and supporting a “fake prophet”.

“How much did that charlatan of a fake prophet, and fugitive of justice, pay you for this pathetically silly, over-the-top propaganda? Your love for money is well known. It is only lots of moola that can cloud your judgment this badly,” said Niehaus of Shivambu.

The MK Party, which Shivambu recently joined, has distanced itself from his actions.

“The uMkhonto weSizwe party wishes categorically distance itself from the recent visit by our secretary-general to the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church led by self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi,” MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said in a statement.

“The party wishes to make it unequivocally clear that this visit was not sanctioned, endorsed or initiated by the leadership or any official structure of the MK party.

“The secretary-general undertook this visit in his personal capacity and without the mandate or knowledge of the party.”

Ndlela added: “When in an unprecedented case, [former] president Zuma was sent to prison without trial under Roman-Dutch Law, he did not flee from justice but was incarcerated and served his time, even though it was a miscarriage of justice and a violation of his human rights.

“We remain firmly opposed to any association with individuals who are fugitives from justice.

“Our values are rooted in integrity, justice and accountability, and we reject any actions that compromise the reputation and ethical standing of our movement.”

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