Followers of controversial Malawian self-styled prophet Shepherd Bushiri turned up outside court in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, to show their support for him, after he was arrested on Friday for alleged fraud. A journalist with the local Times Live news site has tweeted a video of the supporters banging drums and cheering outside the court:
Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary were arrested following an investigation which began in 2015. In court on Monday they were formally charged with fraud and money laundering but were not asked to plead. Police say the couple’s luxury cars, houses and private jet could also be seized pending the finalisation of the criminal case against them.
They have not commented on the allegations. They’ve been remanded in custody and are expected to apply for bail on Wednesday. The church leader is known as much for his lavish lifestyle as for his successful ministry, which stretches across Africa. He claims to have cured people of HIV, appeared to walk on water on social media and owns four private jets.
