With thousands of Malawian nationals being repatriated, self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri compared the contentious moment to his experience of leaving South Africa. His message, of course, raised eyebrows among many South Africans.
Also see: Shepherd Bushiri’s aim to get 10 buses for Malawian repatriation stuns SA
As anti-immigration tensions and unnecessary violence persist, the Malawian government has helped thousands of its people head to their home country. Protesters from organisations such as March and March and Operation Dudula gave undocumented foreign nationals a deadline of 30 June 2026 to leave the country.
Shepherd Bushiri ‘relates’ to repatriation
In a Facebook post later shared on his X account, the controversial Enlightened Christian Gathering founder, who once claimed he cured people of HIV, wrote the following:
“What is happening to our people is painful. I know the pain. I went through it. But a day is coming. Malawi will prosper!”
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/caoa1jkdcZ
— Shepherd Bushiri (@psbushiri_) June 23, 2026
Why did Shepherd Bushiri leave South Africa?
Bushiri, along with his wife, Mary, fled South Africa when they were released on bail after being charged with fraud and money laundering. According to the BBC, he claimed that there were threats on his life and South African authorities offered no protection.
It is alleged that the Bushiris, who are now fugitives, fled on Malawi’s presidential jet with President Lazarus Chakwera, an allegation the president has denied.
Also see: SARS slaps Bushiri’s television channel with a R100m tax bill
South Africans side-eye Shepherd Bushiri
Many local members of the online community headed to Bushiri’s comment section to express their thoughts about his comment.
@PixieDustyMyDog shared their opinion, writing, “Your pain? The pain was because you lost the chance of continuing to scam people, wena.”
“Farming for attention like you’ve never been here, looking for greener pastures, and instead you [allegedly] scammed people and robbed people. Continue lying, “remarked @TheeMB7.
“The day will come that you will come back to this country to answer for all the [alleged] criminality you got up to,” said @Askmeiknw.
@Skhuse226421 added under the post, “How can we fix Africa if we do not hold or encourage other countries to hold their leaders accountable? Pension fund slayer.”
Also see: Rebecca Malope spotted with notorious Bushiri – Internet calls for boycott
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