City of Joburg intensifying efforts to recoup millions from Shepherd Bushiri
In court papers filed this week, the city is looking to auction Bushiri's properties in an effort to recoup more than R10 million owed by the embattled pastor.
Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri waves at sympathisers as he leaves the Lilongwe Magistrate court on 19 November 2020, after skipping bail in South Africa, and was arrested in Malawi. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - Embattled pastor Shepherd Bushiri's legal woes are back in the spotlight again - this time, from the City of Johannesburg.
In court papers filed this week, the city is looking to auction Bushiri's properties in an effort to recoup more than R10 million owed by the pastor.
The city has been trying to get a hold of him for months now, to no avail.
The City of Johannesburg is intensifying its efforts to recoup the millions of rands from Bushiri.
He faces an additional R1 million claim. In June, a company known as PPS Property Fund said it was in the process of taking legal action against the leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church for owing it over a million rand.
The company approached the office of the Master of the High Court in May to obtain an order that could see the pastor's assets being auctioned off.
According to PPS, Bushiri breached a lease for the premises, which served as the church's headquarters.
Bushiri is facing a litany of charges, ranging from money laundering to fraud, and efforts to extradite him from Malawi have stalled after he skipped the country.
According to the City Press, the City of Johannesburg said he breached his legal duty by failing to pay the monies.
The city has lambasted Bushiri, saying he is not exempt from paying tax, adding that he breached his legal duty by failing to pay the monies.